Red-Flowering Currant

Scientific name

Ribes sanguineum

Description

Red Flowering Currant is a fast growing, deciduous shrub species that typically grows between 2 and 3 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common names Flowering Currant or Pink Winter Currant. The leaves are dark green colored with whitish hairy undersides, are alternately arranged, have 3-5 lobes, toothed margins, and have distinctive veins. The flowers are bright red to pink colored, small and showy, appear in drooping clusters of 10-30, and bloom between March and April. The fruits are small, round, dark blue colored, and edible but flavorless. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The fruits are beneficial to wildlife species, such as birds and small mammals. The roots are good for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines. It is hardy, easy to grow, and low maintenance.

Planting conditions

Red Flowering Currant grows best in normal to moist conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It prefers well-drained, sand or loam soil types. It also tolerates clay, rocky soils, and shade. It can tolerate drought and dry soil but young plants should be watered occasionally during hot summers. This plant can be naturally found in moist or dry forests, around forest edges, on rocky coastal slopes, and along river or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Drought Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 3 m
• Spread:
  • 2 m