Red-flowering Currant
Ribes sanguineum
Also listed as Calobotrya sanguinea, Coreosma sanguinea
Also known as Flowering Currant, Blood Currant, Redflower Currant
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shrub prized for its clusters of deep red or crimson flowers that bloom in spring before the leaves fully emerge. It is a reliable, low-maintenance plant that attracts hummingbirds and provides early-season color in gardens.
Why grow it
Red-flowering currant offers early spring color from a deciduous native shrub that requires minimal inputs once established. Compared to other spring-blooming ornamentals, it provides reliable flower production in partial shade and adapts to a range of soil conditions without fertilizer. Its attraction to hummingbirds and native pollinators makes it functionally useful in permaculture systems alongside its aesthetic value.
Watch out for
The plant prefers well-draining soil and can struggle in waterlogged conditions. In drier climates, consistent moisture during establishment improves survival rates, though established plants are relatively drought-tolerant. Pruning immediately after flowering preserves next year's flower buds, as they form on previous season's growth.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Grossulariaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest North America
Native to: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
King Edward VII is valued for its deep crimson flowers, while White Icicle offers a white-flowered alternative for contrast in the garden.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub prized for its clusters of deep red or crimson flowers that bloom in spring before the leaves fully emerge. It is a reliable, low-maintenance plant that attracts hummingbirds and provides early-season color in gardens.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red-flowering Currant grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red-flowering currant offers early spring color from a deciduous native shrub that requires minimal inputs once established. Compared to other spring-blooming ornamentals, it provides reliable flower production in partial shade and adapts to a range of soil conditions without fertilizer. Its attraction to hummingbirds and native pollinators makes it functionally useful in permaculture systems alongside its aesthetic value.
Watch out for
The plant prefers well-draining soil and can struggle in waterlogged conditions. In drier climates, consistent moisture during establishment improves survival rates, though established plants are relatively drought-tolerant. Pruning immediately after flowering preserves next year's flower buds, as they form on previous season's growth.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Grossulariaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Pacific Northwest North America
Native to: California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
King Edward VII is valued for its deep crimson flowers, while White Icicle offers a white-flowered alternative for contrast in the garden.