Black Currant plant named `Ben Alder`

Abstract

A new and distinct cultivar of black currant (i.e., Ribes nigrum L.) is provided. The flower buds of the new cultivar exhibit good tolerance to freezing during spring frosts and the time of flowering is very late. The vigorous and upright growth habit of the new cultivar renders it well amenable to mechanical harvesting. Good quality fruit is formed in high yields. The fruit exhibits an attractive glossy purple-black coloration and is particulaly well suited for juice production. Good resistance to mildew and leaf spot also are provided.

I claim: 
     
       1. A new and distinct variety of black currant plant having the following combination of characteristics: (a) forms flower buds that exhibit good tolerance to freezing during spring frosts and which flower very late in the season,   (b) a vigorous and upright growth habit is amenable to mechanical ruit harvest,   (c) the ability to bear glossy purple-black fruit of good quality in high yields that matures medium to late in the season and is particularly well suited for juice production, and   (d) exhibits good resistance to mildew and leaf spot; substantially as herein shown and described.