Ribes sanguineum
Sold as: Bare Root Plants
Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a deciduous shrub growing often growing as tall as it is broad. The bark is dark brownish grey, and the leaves are 0.8-2.8 inches long and broad. The flowers of Red Flowering Currant are produced in early spring at the same time as the leaves emerge. The fruit is a small, dark purple oval berry, edible but with a bitter taste. Red Flowering Currant is a popular garden shrub, valued for its brightly colored and scented flowers in early spring, and birds and habitat support. The flowers are a hummingbird favorite.
Classification: Perennial
Key Characteristics: Pink flowers, fruit
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Water Requirements: Dry to moist soil
Ease of Growing: High
Growth Rate: Fast
Bloom Time: April–May
Spreads: By seed
Benefits: Wildlife, Rain garden, Pollinators, Beneficial insects, Wildfire resistant, Riparian zones, On Portland Plant List, Hummingbirds
Edible: Yes
Mature Height: 4–12 feet
Mature Width: 3–10 feet
Photo Credits:
Image 1: Ashley Smithers via Clark Conservation District
Image 2: Mackenzie Hagedorn via Clark Conservation District
Image 3: Ashley Smithers via Clark Conservation District
Image 4: Zorah Oppenheimer via Clark Conservation District
