This shrub is deciduous so it will lose all its leaves in autumn, then fresh new foliage appears again each spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: any well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  For many, a longstanding favourite, ‘Ben Lomond’ is ideal for small gardens and pots thanks to its compact and strong, upright growth, while still bearing a heavy late crop. With some disease resistance to mildew, this blackcurrant produces a reliable crop of high quality, dessert and culinary fruit in large clusters on short strings for easy picking. The intense flavour is excellent, a balance of sharp and sweet. They also freeze well.
  
  
• Garden care: Before planting prepare the ground well by removing weeds and digging in plenty of well-rotted manure. Space at 1.5m intervals and once planted, apply a mulch of well-rotted manure every spring, as well as a fertiliser high in nitrogen and potassium, such as liquid seaweed or pelleted chicken manure. Make sure the plant is watered in dry weather and net the bushes to protect the currants from birds. In the first year, prune back to one bud above soil level in winter. After that only prune out weak branches.