Red Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum

Red Flowering Currant is a medium-sized, deciduous, and multi-stemmed shrub in the Grossulariaceae or currant family that is grown primarily for its early showy spring flowers. It has an upright, arching, rounded habit, and is 5 to 12 feet tall and equally as wide. The flowers are pendulous racemes of white, pink, or red and appear before the foliage. The foliage is matte green with 3 to 5 lobes with irregularly serrate margins and is fragrant when crushed. The fruits are glaucous purple or bluish-black berries.

It is native to the Pacific Northwest of North America.  This plant was first discovered in 1793, and it was later introduced in Great Britain.  It can be found growing in numerous habitats, including forests, woodlands, and in areas where shrubs and small trees make up the landscape. They are typically along the coast on the north-facing slopes. 

The genus name, Ribes, is derived from the Arabic word ribas which was a name of a Syrian rhubarb. The possible connection references the acidic flavor of rhubarb or the similar panicles of the fruits. The epithet, sanguineum, means "blood red" and references the flowers.

Plant in the full sun, in well-drained soil.  It will tolerate shade, but it will not bloom as well.  Once established it will tolerate drought.  This plant can become rangy and may require pruning which is best done after flowering. It is intolerant to humidity and would not do well in the Southeastern United States and is best grown in the Pacific Northwest.

When in bloom, the flowers hang down and cover the stems with 10 to 30 white, pink, to red flowers in each cluster.  The flowers have a spicy fragrance and are favored by hummingbirds, providing early spring nectar. The fruits are enjoyed during the summer by birds and small mammals. 

Use it in the landscape as a filler in a shrub border, or informal screen.  It works well planted as a backdrop to spring bulbs providing a great pop of color coming out of winter.

All Ribes are prohibited in North Carolina at this time due to white pine blister rust. 

Seasons of Interest:

Bloom:  Early Spring                  Foliage: Spring, Summer, and Fall              Fruits: Summer

Quick ID Hints:

• medium-sized flowering deciduous shrub, 5 to 12 feet tall and wide
• multi-stemmed, erect, arching, and rounded habit
• thin orange to red bark that turns brown and peels with age
• green pubescent stems
• simple, alternate, 3 to 5 lobed, matte green leaves, irregularly serrate, fragrant when crushed
• pendulous raceme of white, pink, or cherry red blooms
• purple to bluish-black glaucous berries 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: The Red Flowering Currant is somewhat resistant to most insects and diseases including aphids and currant fruit flies. They are susceptible to currant borer and oak root fungus. Female plants are an alternative host for white pine blister rust. 

SECTION .0400 -WHITE PINE BLISTER RUST02 NCAC 48A .0401CURRANT AND GOOSEBERRY PLANTS

 (a) All wild and cultivated currant and gooseberry plants in North Carolina are hereby declared to be dangerous plants and are consequently subject to destruction by the Commissioner of Agriculture or authorized agents wherever found. (b) No person shall knowingly and willfully keep upon his premises any currant or gooseberry plant, or permit such plants to mature seed or otherwise multiply upon his land.

History Note: Authority G.S. 106-65.45; 106-65.46; 106-284.18; 106-420; Eff. January 1, 1985.

VIDEO created by Ryan Contreras for “Landscape Plant Materials I:  Deciduous Hardwoods and Conifers or Landscape Plant Materials II:  Spring Flowering Trees and Shrubs” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University