Black currant variety 'Melody' is an early-ripening, high-yielding, and cold-hardy variety. The bush is medium-sized, semi-spreading, reaching a height of about one meter. Branches are straight, medium-thick, and leaves are 3 to 12 cm wide and long, with three to five broad-triangular lobes, often with serrated edges and golden glands on the veins, which give it a characteristic aroma.
Berries are large, uniform, with thin but sufficiently tough skin. The flesh is juicy and aromatic, with a pleasant sweet-sour taste. The average berry mass is about 2.1 grams, with a maximum of up to 3.8 grams, and berries detach dryly at harvest. The cluster length varies from 6 to 8 cm. Due to high levels of vitamin C and E, zinc, magnesium, organic acids, and phytoncides, the berries are beneficial for health.
The 'Melody' variety is resistant to fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and anthracnose, and also exhibits high drought tolerance. It requires minimal care and is widely used both fresh and for making compotes and jams, making it a versatile and popular choice among gardeners.
