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Ribes sanguineum Pulborough Scarlet - Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum Pulborough Scarlet
Flowering Currant, Red-flowering Currant, Pink-flowering Currant

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A vigorous bush whose early spring flowering unfolds into numerous clusters of small red flowers, enhanced by a white centre. They are nectar-rich and develop into small black fruits, which in turn delight birds in summer. Its lobed, beautiful bright green foliage is aromatic and falls in winter. The Flowering Currant is the ideal young plant for beginners in the garden as it is easy to grow in most conditions and requires little maintenance. It finds its place in a varied border or within a lively hedge.
Flower size
7 cm
Height at maturity
2.50 m
Spread at maturity
2 m
Exposure
Sun, Partial shade
Hardiness
Hardy down to -20°C
Soil moisture
Moist soil
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Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November
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Flowering time April
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Description

Ribes sanguineum 'Pulborough Scarlet' is an established variety of flowering currant that still retains its ornamental appeal. This fairly vigorous bush forms a beautiful clump that is almost as wide as it is high, with upright branches dressed in lovely lobed leaves of a rich green. Early in spring, numerous clusters of red flowers with white hearts bloom beautifully, complementing the green of the foliage. The archetype of the beginner's plant, the flowering currant tolerates most soils, from moist to moderately dry, thriving in full sun or partial shade, and requires very little maintenance. It is perfect within a varied border, combining perennials and other bushes, or in a vibrant hedge.

Formerly classified among the Saxifragaceae, alongside the charming and colourful Heucheras or the generous Rodgersia, the genus Ribes is now the sole member of the Grossulariaceae family, comprising over 100 species. Ribes sanguineum is the most floriferous and widespread species in our gardens, since 1837, with the historical variety 'Atrorubens'. The wild plant grows in the United States, at altitudes between 600 and 1800 m, from northern California to British Columbia, amidst forests of Pines and Thujas.
'Pulborough Scarlet' is a cultivar with an upright habit, developed in 1933 in Pulborough, Sussex (England). Demonstrating great vigour, the bush commonly reaches 2.50 m in height, potentially even reaching 3 m in the absence of any pruning, with a width just slightly less. Its branches are distinctly upright, giving it a somewhat narrow habit at first, but this broadens over time with the regular production of new shoots. The stems have a lovely mahogany brown hue and bear alternate deciduous leaves, measuring 5 to 10 cm. A rich green on top, medium to dark, tomentose (covered in fine hairs) and lighter underneath, they are more or less heart-shaped and divided into 3 to 5 rounded, irregularly toothed lobes. The young hairy branches carry glands that exude an aromatic scent, reminiscent of the Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum).
From late March to May, depending on the climates and regions, clusters composed of twenty or more small flowers appear, each approximately 7 cm long. Forming in the axils of the leaves, along the branches and up to their tips, the clusters are gracefully arched and pendulous. Emerging more or less at the same time as the young leaves, they then blend into the foliage, creating a lovely symphony of colour. Composed of five red petals, the tubular corolla at its base is marked with white in its centre, creating a charming contrast with a romantic allure. The flowers bloom for several weeks, presenting a beautiful spectacle. In addition to being highly decorative, the flowering is honey-producing, which is an asset for diversity in the garden. The small black fruits that follow are consumed by birds, enhancing its utility for wildlife.

The Flowering Currant 'Pulborough Scarlet' is one of those plants that are impossible to overlook, allowing it to transcend ages and fashions. Although it is a horticultural variety, its appearance is natural enough to integrate well into both a rural setting and a small urban garden. Plant it in a varied border alongside other easy-to-grow classics, such as Forsythias, which are unparalleled in brightening the early days of spring with their luminous yellow and will kick off the flowering season. Deutzia crenata 'Pride of Rochester' will take over in the latter half of spring with its double pom-poms of immaculate white. At the feet of these second-tier shrubs, occupy the border with lower plants such as Potentilla fruticosa 'Red Ace', a shrubby cinquefoil 50 to 60 cm tall that will delight you with its simple orange-red flowers with yellow centres from June to September. Buddleja davidii 'Butterfly Candy Little White' will also be perfect in this spot, its large white spikes accompanying the flowering of the cinquefoil throughout the summer.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 2.50 m
Spread at maturity 2 m
Habit Irregular, bushy
Growth rate normal

Flowering

Flower colour red
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 7 cm
Bee-friendly Attracts pollinators
Good for cut flowers Cut flower blooms
Fruit colour black

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green
Aromatic? Fragrant foliage when creased

Botanical data

Genus

Ribes

Species

sanguineum

Cultivar

Pulborough Scarlet

Family

Grossulariaceae

Other common names

Flowering Currant, Red-flowering Currant, Pink-flowering Currant

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference22607

Planting and care

Plant the Flowering Currant 'Pulborough Scarlett' in ordinary, deep, non-calcareous, rich, and moist soil. This bush will thrive in partial shade or in the sun, but in a non-scorching position. Soak the root ball for a quarter of an hour in a bucket while you dig the planting hole (50x50x50 cm). Add a little potting compost to the existing soil, position the root ball, backfill around it, and water generously. Water in the first year during hot periods to encourage rooting. The young plant is then relatively tolerant once well-rooted.

Pruning is not necessary, except to remove dead wood or to rectify a habit that is a bit too sparse. The branches should be cut back by a third of their length after flowering.

Planting period

Best planting time March, October
Recommended planting time February to April, September to November

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Woodland edge
Type of use Border, Hedge
Hardiness Hardy down to -20°C (USDA zone 6b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Beginner
Planting density 2 per m2
Exposure Sun, Partial shade
Soil pH Any
Soil type Clayey (heavy), Clayey-chalky (heavy and alkaline), Silty-loamy (rich and light)
Soil moisture Moist soil, ordinary, well-prepared

Care

Pruning instructions Maintenance pruning: if one simply wishes to maintain the shape of the bush, it is enough to remove the weak or overly arching branches, as well as the dead wood. Renewal pruning: for specimens that have become too bulky or have lost their bushy shape (bare base, sparse branches), it is advisable to prune the branches to 50 cm above the soil. This can be done in one go (rigorous pruning, for older specimens) or over three years (in which case only a third of the branches are pruned each year, ensuring the bush retains a balanced appearance). The bush will then produce new shoots.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time May to June
Soil moisture Moist soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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