The Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a deciduous flowering shrub native to western North America, admired for its brilliant clusters of red blossoms and small, edible berries that ripen to blue-black in midsummer.
This versatile plant provides seasonal beauty, food for wildlife, and homegrown fruit for preserves, jellies, or fresh snacking. It is drought-tolerant once established and ideal for native gardens, hedgerows, or ornamental plantings.
Its spring flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators, while the summer fruit feeds songbirds and adds a wild edible touch to your landscape.
Features
- Bright Red Flowers: Eye-catching clusters bloom in early spring.
- Edible Fruits: Produces small, tart blue-black berries.
- Pollinator Friendly: Loved by bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
- Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant and cold-hardy.
- Native & Ornamental: Excellent for native gardens and wildlife habitats.
- Specifications
- Common Name: Red Flowering Currant / Blood Currant
- Scientific Name: Ribes sanguineum
- Plant Type: Deciduous fruiting shrub
- USDA Zones: 5 – 9
- Mature Height: 5 – 10 ft (1.5 – 3 m)
- Spread: 5 – 7 ft (1.5 – 2 m)
- Bloom Color: Bright red to pink clusters
- Fruit Color: Blue-black berries
- Fruit Flavor: Tart, mildly sweet
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
- Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5
- Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring
- Harvest Time: Mid to late summer
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO
- Planting Guide
- Seed Preparation: Cold stratify for 8–12 weeks at 35–40°F (2–4°C) in moist peat.
- Sowing Depth: ¼ inch deep in moist, well-draining seed-starting mix.
- Temperature: Keep at 60–70°F (15–21°C) for germination.
- Light: Provide bright, indirect light.
- Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Transplanting: Move outdoors in spring after frost danger passes.
- Spacing: 4–6 ft apart to allow full growth and airflow.
Care Tips
- Prune lightly after flowering to shape and encourage bushy growth.
- Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Apply organic compost or balanced fertilizer in early spring.
- Protect from heavy frost during the first winter.