Description
Red flowering currant is a well-known native shrub, and for good reason — it’s gorgeous! The pendulous pink to red flower clusters bloom early in the spring, providing early-season color. The early flowers are a boon for pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and moths. Red flowering currant is a deciduous shrub that can grow up to 13′ tall, but generally ranges from 5′-7′ tall, depending on growing conditions. Dark berries are produced in the fall, but do not taste good and are best left for birds to enjoy. Red flowering currant is adaptable to a range of soil and light conditions. In areas with a lot of rainfall it generally doesn’t need any summer irrigation, but in hot, dry and sunny locations it will need supplemental summer water. It will bloom best with some sun, but is tolerant of shade to part shade. In hot locations it will benefit from having at least part shade. Somewhat deer resistant once established. Red flowering currant is a larval host plant for numerous butterfly species.
Red flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) seed packets contain approximately 280 seeds.
Seed Germination Instructions
90-120 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
