Ribes sanguineum - Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum, also known as Flowering Currant, is a bushy shrub with early spring dark carmine pink flowers, followed by blackish-blue fruits in summer. It is a highly floriferous plant. Both the flower clusters and light green foliage emit a sweet aroma of blackcurrant.

Ribes sanguineum belongs to the Grossulariaceae family. The western United States is the birthplace of this robust bush. It is found mainly on rocky slopes and wooded areas from southern California to the northwest of the United States. It will reach a height of 2 to 3m (7 to 10ft) and spread about 2m (7ft), with rapid growth.

This deciduous shrub has an erect and bushy growth, with a rounded habit. In March-April, with the emergence of leaves, dangling clusters of small deep pink flowers appear, highlighted by a white eye, measuring about 8cm (3in). This fragrant flowering accompanies and follows that of the classic Forsythia. The flowers are followed in August by small globose fruits, initially bluish then black and pruinose, which birds love. The light green leaves, 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) long, have five shallow irregularly toothed lobes and give off a delightful blackcurrant scent.

Ribes sanguineum will suit all gardens, in an informal hedge, shrub borders, or even as a standalone plant. It works well when grown in a container. It perfectly complements forsythia, but consider creating a beautiful spring scene by planting it with Japanese quince, Exochorda (Exochorda racemosa), Flowering Plum, Chinese Almond, or Japanese Apricot. Planted in mixed groups of three or four, flowering currants create an effect that is out of the ordinary, especially at the back of perennial borders. To fully enjoy its flowers and fragrance, you can cut budding branches to bloom in the house.