Savanna Zing Stikine Black Currant

Savanna Zing (registered cultivar name Stikine) was bred by Richard ‘Dick’ McGinnis of McGinnis Berry Crops Ltd. in Courtenay, British Columbia, Canada. McGinnis initiated the cross in 2001 using Zusha — itself derived from Minaj Shmyrev × Ershistaya — as the seed parent and Titania as the pollen parent; the cross was completed in 2005 and selections were advanced to field trials in 2008. Stikine is patented under USPP30007P3 with a term through December 2036; ownership was assigned to the Savanna Institute as of 2022. The Titania parent contributes the disease-tolerant vigor of Swedish breeding programs developed at Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet; the Zusha parent contributes large berry size and improved fresh-eating palatability from Eastern European germplasm. The breeding objective was explicitly fresh-market quality: accessible flavor, large berry size, and commercially viable yield for North American growers. Stikine’s parentage connects it to the same Titania lineage as its sibling Tahsis (Savanna Zap), reflecting a coherent program strategy of building on proven Scandinavian agronomic genetics while upgrading flavor and size from Eastern European sources.

Savanna Zing performs well in organically rich loam but tolerates clay and sandy loam soils provided drainage is adequate — waterlogged roots accelerate crown rot and weaken cane vigor. A pH of 5.5 to 7.0 accommodates the shrub across most temperate garden soils; work compost into the planting site before establishment to build the organic matter that black currants respond to strongly. Full sun maximizes yield, but this cultivar accepts part shade without serious production loss — a useful trait in food forest understory positions. Consistent moisture through the fruit development window (late spring into summer) directly supports berry size; mulching with wood chips or straw helps buffer soil moisture during dry spells. The 900–1,100 chill hour requirement means this cultivar is best matched to zones 3 through 6 for reliable dormancy completion; warmer-climate plantings may experience inconsistent bud break in mild winters. Space plants 4–5 feet apart to allow airflow, which reduces fungal pressure on the dense, multi-stemmed canopy.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 3-7
AHS Heat Zone: 1-6
Chill Hours: 900-1100
Sun Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Soil pH: 5.5-7.0
Soil Type: Organically rich loam; tolerates clay and sandy loam
Soil Drainage: Well-drained; moderate moisture
Water Requirements: Medium; consistent moisture preferred
Drought Tolerance: Low
Heat Tolerance: Low; foliage scorches above 87°F
Plant Spacing: 4-5 ft apart
How to Prune: Remove up to one-quarter of the oldest canes at ground level annually in dormant season; maintain 9-12 canes of mixed ages (1, 2, and 3-year-old wood); black currant fruits best on 1- and 2-year-old wood

Savanna Zing forms a compact, upright multi-stemmed shrub reaching 4–5 feet tall and equally wide under normal growing conditions. Canes spread outward under the weight of loaded fruit clusters, giving the shrub a slightly arching silhouette at peak harvest. The fibrous, heart-shaped root system stays relatively shallow, so cultivation near the base should remain superficial to avoid root damage. Black currant foliage carries the species' characteristic aromatic quality — leaves release a distinctive scent when brushed or crushed — which some growers find useful as an informal pest deterrent. The growth rate is medium to fast, meaning a newly planted shrub reaches productive size within two seasons. Because the heaviest bearing occurs on one- and two-year-old wood, annual renewal pruning is the central maintenance task: remove up to one-quarter of the oldest canes at ground level each dormant season, maintaining a mix of 9–12 canes across first-, second-, and third-year wood. This rotation keeps the shrub open to light and air while continuously renewing productive cane stock.

Mature Height: 4-5 ft tall
Mature Spread: 4-5 ft wide
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed shrub; branches spread outward under fruit weight
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Foliage Type: Deciduous
Food Forest Layer: Shrub
Leaf Color: Medium green
Thorns?: No
Attracts Wildlife: Birds, bees, butterflies, beneficial insects
Life Span: productive 10-20 years

Savanna Zing is self-fertile, producing reliable crops without a cross-pollinator, which simplifies planting for growers with limited space. Flowers appear from late March into early May — a broad window that overlaps with most early-season bee activity. Blossoms are small, greenish-yellow to white with distinctive anthocyanin pigmentation on the sepals, and they attract native bees as well as honeybees. Pollination is accomplished by both insect visitors and wind. While the shrub fruits dependably on its own, yield data from multi-variety plantings consistently shows cross-pollination increases berry set; planting alongside Consort Black Currant or Crandall Black Currant is worth the space investment for growers targeting commercial volumes.

Bloom Season: Mid
Bloom Window: Late Mar - Early May
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
Pollination Mechanism: Insect (bee) and wind
Flower Color: Greenish-yellow to white, with strong anthocyanin on sepals

Berry size is one of the defining traits of this cultivar: at 0.5–0.6 inch diameter, these rank among the larger black currants available for North American growers, with individual berries averaging 1.3 grams and roughly 22 per cluster. Flavor departs from the pungent, intensely tart profile typical of European processing varieties — instead, the berries lean sweet with mild tartness and discernible grape-like notes, making fresh consumption a genuinely appealing option rather than an acquired taste. Fruit skin is glossy black at full ripeness with firm texture, which supports both hand harvesting and stripping from the cluster. Yields in commercial trials averaged 8.36 lbs per plant, with a range of 5–10 lbs depending on soil fertility and pruning management. Culinary applications span fresh eating, jam, jelly, juice, syrups, and pairing with savory preparations such as game meat sauces. The high anthocyanin content common to Ribes nigrum makes the berries a strong candidate for functional food uses. Fruit ripens mid-June through late July in a temperate climate and should be harvested as strigs when fully black and slightly soft.

Ripening Season: Very Early
Harvest Window: Mid Jun - Late Jul
Fruit Size: 0.5-0.6 inch (large for black currant)
Fruit Weight: 1.3 g average per berry
Flavor: Sweet, mildly tart; pleasant grape-like notes; more palatable than traditional European black currant flavor
Fruit Color: Black (glossy when ripe)
Fruit Texture: Firm
Bearing Habit: Annual; fruits on 1- and 2-year-old wood
Years to Bear: 1-2 years after planting
Yield: 5-10 per plant
Culinary Uses: Fresh eating; jam, jelly, preserves; juice, syrup, wine; desserts; pairs with game meats

Savanna Zing carries a highly resistant rating for White Pine Blister Rust (Cronartium ribicola), posing negligible risk to adjacent white pine stands; verify current local regulations before planting, as some states maintain Ribes restrictions. Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe grossulariae) and Septoria Leaf Spot (Mycosphaerella ribis) are both well-handled — renewal pruning that opens the canopy provides the airflow both diseases require to stay suppressed. Anthracnose (Pseudepeziza ribis) rates moderate resistance; remove fallen leaf litter each autumn to eliminate overwintering inoculum. Botrytis Fruit Rot (Botrytis cinerea) is the primary fungal vulnerability, rated moderately susceptible — maintain wide spacing, open canopy structure, and harvest promptly, as overripe fruit in dense growth creates ideal gray mold conditions. All four tracked pests — Currant Aphid (Cryptomyzus ribis), Imported Currantworm (Nematus ribesii), Currant Borer (Synanthedon tipuliformis), and Currant Fruit Fly (Epochra canadensis) — rate moderately susceptible. Knock aphid colonies off with water or insecticidal soap; apply Bacillus thuringiensis for young currantworm instars; cut borer-wilted canes at the base and dispose off-site; monitor for fruit fly with yellow sticky traps from petal fall onward.

White Pine Blister Rust: Very Resistant
Powdery Mildew: Resistant
Anthracnose: Moderately Resistant
Botrytis Fruit Rot: Moderately Susceptible
Septoria Leaf Spot: Resistant
Currant Aphid: Moderately Susceptible
Imported Currantworm: Moderately Susceptible
Currant Borer: Moderately Susceptible
Currant Fruit Fly: Moderately Susceptible

• Renewal Pruning Calendar: Remove the oldest one-quarter of canes at ground level each dormant season, targeting wood older than three years. Keeping a mix of one-, two-, and three-year canes in the canopy maintains peak fruit production.
• Botrytis Prevention at Harvest: Pick fruit promptly once berries turn fully black and glossy — overripe clusters sitting in a dense canopy are the primary Botrytis entry point. Harvest in dry morning conditions when possible.
• Chill Hour Site Selection: With 900–1,100 chill hours required, choose low-lying or north-facing sites to maximize cold accumulation. Exposed slopes that drain cold air may not accumulate sufficient chilling in mild winters.
• Aphid Scout in Spring: Check new shoot tips weekly from bud break through late spring. Early aphid colonies dislodged by water spray or insecticidal soap eliminate the problem before populations establish on a season's new growth.
• Mulch for Moisture and Pest Reduction: A 3-inch layer of wood chip mulch around the root zone buffers soil moisture during fruit sizing and suppresses weeds that shelter Currant Fruit Fly pupation sites in the soil.

Our 365-Day Plant Guarantee: We ensure that our plants are delivered to you alive and healthy. If your plant does not survive its first year, you're eligible for store credit under these conditions:

1. Your location falls within the appropriate USDA hardiness zone for the plant variety (refer to our hardiness zone map).
2. You maintain the roots' moisture and plant within three days of delivery, following the instructions in our Planting Guide.

If you're concerned about your plant's health, please consult our guide, How to Tell if Your Tree is Dead or Dormant. Remember, our plants are shipped in a dormant state and may leaf out at different times based on their species. To check for plant vital