3 named cultivars

shrubN. America Native

Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum

The Story

Plant Bio

Ribes sanguineum, the red-flowering currant, is a deciduous multi-stemmed shrub of the Pacific coast from British Columbia to northern California. It grows 5 to 12 ft high and about as wide, with arching stems, aromatic maple-shaped leaves and peeling orange-brown bark. Pink to deep red flowers hang in drooping racemes as the leaves expand.

It is one of the first shrubs of the western spring and a key early nectar source for returning rufous hummingbirds. The blue-black berries carry a white bloom and are technically edible but sour, so they are better left for the birds. Introduced to Britain in the 1820s, it became a garden staple there.

Uses & Benefits:

Drooping racemes of pink to crimson flowers open before most shrubs have leafed out, followed by aromatic foliage and peeling bark.

A fast, undemanding informal screen that copes with dry summers once rooted, and roots easily from hardwood cuttings for cheap hedging.

A critical early nectar source for hummingbirds and queen bumblebees, host to the ceanothus silk moth, with berries and nesting cover for birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

102 inches

Width

102 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8

Water

Moderate in spring; dry summer rest

Humidity

Average; enjoys cool coastal air

Lifespan

20 to 30 years

Native To

British Columbia to northern California

Toxicity

Non-toxic; berries edible but sour

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun for best flower, or light shade in hot inland gardens.
Choose ground that drains freely; it hates summer waterlogging.
Dig in leaf mould at planting and mulch after watering in.
Water through the first two summers, then reduce sharply.
Prune straight after flowering, never in winter.
Take out a third of the oldest stems at the base every few years.

Pro Tip

Cut it back the week the flowers fade; prune later and you remove the wood that carries next spring's racemes.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Give it a dry summer rest once established 🌤️
Prune immediately after flowering to keep it open 🌸
Mulch with leaf mould in autumn 🍂
Plant it where early hummingbirds and bees will find it 🐝

Don't

Do not irrigate it heavily through a hot summer ❌
Do not prune in winter; you will cut off the flowers ❌
Do not plant it near five-needle pines where blister rust is a concern ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Mulch And Tidy
Prune After Flowering

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Early-flowering shrub for a mixed native borderInformal hedge or screen in a woodland edge plantingHummingbird and pollinator garden centrepiece

Companion Plants

Oregon grape Salal Red osier dogwood Western sword fern Western columbine

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Flowering Currant questions

What zones can Flowering Currant grow in?

Flowering Currant is hardy in USDA Zones 6–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Flowering Currant deer resistant?

Yes — Flowering Currant is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Flowering Currant bloom?

Flowering Currant typically blooms in early to mid spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Flowering Currant need full sun?

Flowering Currant does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Flowering Currant drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Flowering Currant handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.