Ribes sanguinum

Flowering Currant
Ribes sanguinum
Type: Native Deciduous Shrub
Exposure: Sun / Part Shade
Water: Light (Drought Tolerant once established)

For those of us who live in the Pacific Northwest or the BC South Coast, the flowering currant is a familiar woodland sight. It will grow to 10ft (3m) tall by half as wide with arching upright stems and medium green, lobed leaves that open along with the flowers in the spring. The flowers themselves are in racemes (strings or clusters) that are 1-3 in (2.5-7.5cm) long, and consist of up to 30 individual tiny flowers that are attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies. In the wild, these flowers are a deep pinkish red, but cultivars are available with white, pink and red flowers. The blue/black berries, which arrive in fall, are edible but tastes terrible; birds like them though.

Cheers,

John