Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) Ribes sanguineum
Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) (Ribes sanguineum) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, native to Western North America, from British Columbia to central California. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -25 °C (-13 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Grossulariaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -25 °C (-13 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 5) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: berries (raw; bland) |
| Native to | Western North America, from British Columbia to central California |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Flowering currant (red-flowering currant)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Flowering currant (red-flowering currant)
- How far apart should I plant Flowering currant (red-flowering currant)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Flowering currant (red-flowering currant)?
- It tolerates about -25 °C (-13 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 5.
- When does Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) flower?
- From about March for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Flowering currant (red-flowering currant)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Flowering currant (red-flowering currant). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
Notes and assumptions
- Hanging clusters of rosy-pink flowers in early spring, as the aromatic leaves unfold, timed for the arrival of hummingbirds; blue-black berries follow. Introduced to Britain by David Douglas in the 1820s and now a common hedge shrub there.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum
- Redcurrant Ribes rubrum
- Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius