Blackcurrant 'Titania'

Overview

Experience the ultimate in disease-resistant blackcurrant growing with Blackcurrant 'Titania', the Swedish-bred variety that has revolutionised home fruit growing since its introduction in 1998. This exceptional cultivar combines outstanding productivity with unmatched disease resistance, making it the perfect choice for gardeners seeking reliable, high-quality harvests without the traditional challenges of blackcurrant cultivation. Named after the queen of the fairies, 'Titania' truly delivers magical results with its impressive vigour, extended harvest season, and exceptional resistance to common problems that plague other varieties.

Key Features

• Plant Type: Vigorous upright deciduous fruiting bush
• Planting Season: October to March
• Mature Height: 1.2m
• Spread: 1.2m
• Harvest Period: Early July to August
• Berry Characteristics: Large, firm berries with rich, classic blackcurrant flavour
• Productive Lifespan: 15-20 years with proper care
• Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H6)

Revolutionary Disease Resistance

Blackcurrant 'Titania' represents a breakthrough in disease-resistant fruit varieties, solving the traditional problems that have challenged blackcurrant growers for generations. A highly productive, mildew and white pine blister rust-resistant cultivar, whilst immune to White Pine Blister and very good resistance to mildew- solving both traditional problems of black currants. This exceptional resistance makes organic growing approaches highly successful.

Outstanding Productivity and Vigour

'Titania' demonstrates remarkable vigour and productivity that makes it a standout performer in any fruit garden. It grows quickly to 6' tall and produces bountiful clusters of large black currants, whilst this high yielding, fast growing and exceptionally sweet and large berry black currant reaches full maturity rapidly. Expect Titania to reach six feet in height very quickly and reach full mature size within 3 years.

Extended Harvest Season

One of 'Titania's' greatest advantages is its remarkably long cropping period that extends the blackcurrant season significantly. Treating you to a long cropping season, you can enjoy fresh pickings from early July and into August, whilst the fruit ripens from early July and will crop through until early August, giving it one of the longest cropping seasons of any blackcurrant. This extended harvest provides fresh fruit over many weeks.

Exceptional Berry Quality

'Titania' produces impressively large berries with outstanding flavour characteristics that make them perfect for both fresh eating and culinary applications. Large, firm berries with the classic delicious black currant flavor, whilst the fruits are of excellent quality, being delicious for fresh eating or for making jams, jellies and syrups. The fruits are not only large but nicely firm, and tend to ripen all at once.

Perfect Flavour Balance

The berries offer an exceptional balance of sweet and tart flavours that satisfy diverse palates and culinary needs. A great balance of sweet and tart, enjoy these attractive glossy fruits fresh with desserts, as a snack or use them to make tasty puddings and jams. Bursting with flavour and Vitamin C, blackcurrant 'Titania' has a rich, tart flavour that makes it ideal for cooking and for using as a purée.

Rapid Establishment and Maturity

'Titania' stands out for its remarkably quick establishment and early productivity, making it ideal for impatient gardeners. It is a vigorous plant and reaches maturity after only three years. The variety's vigorous nature ensures rapid framework development and early returns on investment.

Adaptable Growing Conditions

This variety demonstrates exceptional adaptability to various growing conditions, making it suitable for diverse garden situations. Because it is strong growing it does very well on light soils and those with a low level of nutrients. Black currants tolerate light shade, and in very hot summer areas should be planted in partial shade or 1/2 day sun areas only.

Simultaneous Ripening Advantage

The variety offers the convenience of simultaneous fruit ripening that enables efficient bulk harvesting. Let the berries fully ripen to enjoy them for fresh eating, whilst the synchronised ripening makes processing and preserving particularly efficient.

Ideal Growing Position

Plant 'Titania' in full sun to partial shade positions where it receives adequate light for optimal fruit development. The variety performs excellently in full sun whilst tolerating partial shade, making it adaptable to various garden layouts and orientations.

Soil Requirements

'Titania' thrives in well-drained, fertile soil but demonstrates remarkable tolerance to challenging conditions. The variety adapts well to light soils and those with lower nutrient levels, though it responds excellently to soil improvement and generous organic matter incorporation.

Planting and Spacing

Plant between October and March, spacing bushes 1.5-2 metres apart to accommodate the vigorous mature growth. Plant at the same depth as grown in the nursery, ensuring adequate space for the substantial framework development that characterises this variety.

Self-Fertile Reliability

'Titania' is self-fertile, producing excellent crops as a single plant without requiring pollination partners. This characteristic makes it perfect for smaller gardens or container growing where space limitations prevent multiple variety planting.

Support and Framework

The vigorous upright growth habit generally requires minimal support, though the heavy cropping nature may benefit from framework support during peak fruiting periods. Titania has a vigorous upright growth habit, making structural support straightforward when needed.

Harvesting Excellence

Harvest from early July through August when berries develop their full dark colour and rich flavour intensity. The extended season allows for selective picking of peak-quality fruit whilst the simultaneous cluster ripening enables efficient bulk harvesting when desired.

Frost and Weather Resilience

'Titania' demonstrates good cold tolerance though benefits from protection during critical flowering periods. Frost resistant and disease resistance to problems including powdery mildew and rust, making it suitable for challenging climatic conditions.

Wildlife Protection

The exceptional fruit quality attracts wildlife attention, requiring protective measures during ripening. Birds love the berries so protect the ripening fruit with fine gauge netting if you need to. This attraction demonstrates the superior quality of the berries.

Annual Care Programme

Apply balanced fertiliser in early spring to support the vigorous growth and heavy fruit production, followed by organic mulching to maintain soil fertility and moisture levels. The disease resistance significantly reduces intervention requirements whilst the vigorous growth responds excellently to good nutrition.

Culinary Applications

• Fresh Eating: Large, firm berries perfect for immediate consumption
• Premium Preserves: Rich flavour creates exceptional artisan jams and jellies
• Extended Season Cooking: Long harvest period supports continuous culinary use
• Juicing and Cordials: High vitamin C content and intense flavour
• Baking Excellence: Large, firm berries ideal for pies, crumbles, and desserts
• Purées and Sauces: Rich, tart flavour perfect for culinary preparations

Beginner-Friendly Excellence

'Titania' represents the perfect introduction to blackcurrant growing for novice fruit gardeners. So an ideal starter blackcurrant for those looking to grow fruit in the garden or on the patio for the first time. The combination of disease resistance, vigorous growth, and reliable productivity makes success virtually guaranteed.

Container Growing Success

The variety's adaptability makes it excellently suited to container cultivation, bringing blackcurrant growing to patios and small urban spaces. Use large containers with excellent drainage whilst maintaining consistent nutrition and moisture levels.

Health and Nutritional Benefits

'Titania' berries provide exceptional nutritional value with high vitamin C content and antioxidant properties. Black currant berries, extremely popular in Germany and much of Europe, are very high in vitamin C, making them valuable for health-conscious gardeners.

Companion Planting

The vigorous growth works well with other robust fruit varieties whilst the disease resistance reduces cross-contamination risks. Plant alongside herbs and perennials that complement the extended harvest season and support beneficial insect populations.

Investment Value

The combination of disease resistance, exceptional productivity, rapid establishment, and extended harvest season makes 'Titania' an outstanding long-term investment. Our best Black Currant according to experienced growers, ensuring reliable performance and excellent returns.

Growing Success Tips

Success with 'Titania' centres on taking advantage of its natural vigour and disease resistance whilst providing adequate space for its substantial growth. The variety's adaptability makes it forgiving of growing conditions whilst rewarding good care with exceptional harvests. Take advantage of the extended season to enjoy fresh berries over many weeks whilst utilising the simultaneous cluster ripening for efficient processing. Your 'Titania' blackcurrant will establish itself as the cornerstone of your fruit garden, delivering outstanding harvests of premium-quality berries with the reliability and disease resistance that makes fruit growing a pleasure rather than a challenge.