Red-Flowering Currant: A Guide to Growing and Care
Overview
The red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a large, fragrant, spring-flowering shrub native to the northwest United States. Its showy clusters of blooms are a favorite early nectar source for hummingbirds and other pollinators, and its edible but bland blue-black berries provide sustenance for local wildlife in the fall.
With its upright, attractive form, this drought-tolerant shrub is an ideal addition to the back of borders, as a specimen plant or informal hedge, or on rocky slopes to help control erosion.
Planting
- Site selection: Red-flowering currants prefer full sun or partial shade, with more shade in hotter inland areas and more sun in coastal locations. They require well-drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH level.
- Spacing: Plant shrubs at least 6 feet apart to allow for adequate airflow and reduce the risk of disease.
- Timing: The best time to plant red-flowering currants is in mild fall or early spring when the soil is moist.
Care
- Watering: Water newly planted shrubs regularly, especially during hot, dry summers. Established shrubs are drought-tolerant but appreciate occasional deep watering to promote vigorous growth.
- Fertilizer: Red-flowering currants thrive in poor soils and generally do not require fertilizer. However, adding some organic matter to the soil before planting can encourage more vigorous growth and prolific blooming.
- Pruning: Pruning is not essential but can help promote a neat, bushy, compact form and profuse blooming. Prune by up to one-third of the shrub’s height on new growth straight after flowering fades.
- Pests and diseases: Red-flowering currants are generally resistant to pests and diseases but can be susceptible to aphids and the currant fruit fly. Monitor for these pests and take appropriate control measures if necessary.
Propagation
Red-flowering currants can be propagated from stem cuttings or seeds:
- Cuttings: Take softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer, or hardwood cuttings in late fall or winter. Dip the cuttings in a rooting hormone and plant them in well-draining soil.
- Seeds: Collect seeds from ripe berries in late summer. Store them in a cool, dry place and sow them in the fall or stratify them for one to three months before sowing in early spring.
Bloom
The show-stopping, widespread clusters of early-blooming fragrant flowers are what many gardeners grow the red-flowering currant shrub for. The red, pink, or white nectar-filled beauties make these plants attractive to hummingbirds and offer bright color in the yard in early spring.
- Timing: Red-flowering currant blooms typically emerge in early- to mid-spring, around April to May, at the same time new foliage begins to emerge.
- Color and fragrance: The blooms grow in drooping clusters between 1 and 3 inches long, with each cluster containing between five and 30 individual flowers. Each flower has five petals and emits a fragrance that some describe as lightly spicy.
Additional Information
- Red-flowering currant is not considered invasive in the United States, but it is classed as an invasive species in New Zealand.
- The berries of red-flowering currant are edible but bland in flavor. They can be used to make cordials, syrups, and jellies.
- Red-flowering currants can reach up to 10 feet or more in height when conditions are right. Many cultivars have more compact habits, typically reaching just 6 to 8 feet when fully established.
