Flowering currant
Ribes sanguineum · Grossulariaceae
📷 Walter Siegmund (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around flowering currant and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Redflower currant or Red-flowering gooseberry
- Family
- Grossulariaceae
- Type
- Deciduous shrub
- Adult height
- Up to 2 m
- Flowering
- March to April, bright red flowers in drooping clusters
- Foliage
- Deciduous, green, slightly fragrant
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- West coast of North America
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Ribes sanguineum produces better with annual pruning: in late winter, remove 1/3 of wood older than 3 years and crossing branches. More numerous and accessible fruits.
The common mistake
Not pruning or pruning too severely: over time the bush becomes bare at the base and production declines.
The pro's trick
Prune just after flowering to renew branches without removing the following year's flower buds.
Care
Sunlight
Plant your Ribes sanguineum in full sun for generous flowering, though it tolerates partial shade. An open location promotes air circulation and prevents fungal diseases. Avoid overly shaded areas where flowering would be reduced.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish the root system, then moderately thereafter. The shrub appreciates fresh but well-drained soil; avoid waterlogging in winter. During dry summer periods, maintain light moisture at the base.
Soil
Ribes sanguineum adapts to most soils, provided they are well-drained. Adding compost or organic matter at planting improves structure and fertility. A neutral to slightly acidic pH is ideal.
Pruning
Prune after flowering (April-May) to maintain a harmonious shape and remove dead or crossing wood. Thin out the interior of the shrub to promote air circulation. Avoid severe pruning, which would reduce flowering the following year.
Fertilizing
A balanced fertilizer application in spring is usually sufficient. Supplement if necessary with organic fertilizer or nutrient-rich mulch in autumn to nourish the soil progressively.
Diseases and pests
This shrub is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew in cases of high humidity and stagnant air. Good aeration and absence of excess leaf moisture prevent most problems. Occasional aphids often disappear naturally.
Did you know?
Ribes sanguineum has fascinated botanists since its introduction to Europe in the 19th century by explorers of the Pacific Northwest. Its scarlet flower clusters and the slightly musky fragrance of its foliage made it a fixture in Victorian English gardens. Curiously, though edible, its small prickly black berries are never cultivated commercially, unlike true blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum).
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- RedcurrantRibes rubrum
- BlackcurrantRibes nigrum
- European gooseberryRibes uva-crispa
- Alpine currantRibes alpinum
- Golden currantRibes aureum
- Wax currantRibes cereum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.