The Chill Factor
Resilience #2 December 2024 Chilly winter weather is so important in the flowering cycle of our trees & shrubs. Our increasingly mild winters are making me rethink my choice of fruit trees
I have just planted some new blackcurrants. Nothing unusual about that, but this time I have eschewed the best selling ‘Ben’ cultivars and opted for Noir de Bourgogne. This is an iconic French variety and the description on Chris Bowers’ website says:
“This is a classic old French variety that remains little known in this country. It deserves wider appreciation, not least because the flavour surpasses almost any other blackcurrant. Rich, sweet, aromatic and complex, it makes sensational pies, jams and preserves! The berries are suitable for all purposes and, however they are used, the flavour sets it apart”.
Well, the French grow lots of blackcurrants for Crème de cassis, and they know quite a bit about flavour, so I am hopeful that this is a good choice.
Why switch to a French variety?
It’s not just about the taste, although that’s important, it’s to do with climate change. All the ‘Ben’ cultivars originate in Scotland (named after Scottish mountains) as they were developed by the James Hutton Institute. They are grown across the UK and further afield, and are productive, hardy and tasty.
Originally, the cultivars were developed to be frost resistant, but the trend to fewer frosts has mean a shift in the breeding programme to looking at nutritional content and environmental adaptability. But the climate in Scotland is still much chiller than that experienced here in Somerset, so I am looking for varieties that have not been developed in a cold climate with a lot of chill hours, hence my trial of a French variety. Other French varieties include:
Andega: A modern French variety bred for resistance to mildew and frost, offering high yields and rich flavours.
Blackdown: While not uniquely French, this variety is often grown in France due to its sweet-tart flavour, versatility and yield
Royal de Naples: Heritage variety known for its robust growth, rich perfume and flavourful berries that originated in the Loire Valley
And did you know that blackcurrant buds are used in the production of Chanel No5?
How are our fruit trees are responding to climate change?