Flowering Currant, Blood currant
Ribes sanguineum
Family: Grossulariaceae
What it is like
Ribes sanguineum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 2.5
Where it is found
Open to wooded, moist to rather dry valleys and foothills.
Western N. America. Occasionally naturalized in Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Fruit - raw or cooked. It does not have a wonderful flavour, but is tolerable raw. It can be harvested when still firm in August and when stored carefully will keep until November, by which time the flavour has improved slightly. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 0
Tolerates maritime exposure and can be grown as an informal hedge. It provides reasonable shelter when in leaf but is rather bare and gives little protection in winter. Fruit loved by birds. A good groundcover shrub for dry shade when planted with shorter groundcovers.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Succeeds in full sun, it is also quite tolerant of shade though it does not fruit so well in such a position. Tolerates maritime exposure. Hardy to about -25°c. A very ornamental plant, there are a number of named varieties. A plant labelled R. sanguineum carneum (which is probably the cultivar 'Carneum Grandiflorum') was seen at Kew with a very good crop of unripe fruit in July 1994. A disease-resistant plant, the species is being used in blackcurrant breeding programmes. Plants can harbour a stage of white pine blister rust, so should not be grown in the vicinity of pine trees. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. Heat zone: 8-6.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 3 months cold stratification at between 0 and 5°c and should be sown as early in the year as possible. Under normal storage conditions the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame for their first winter, planting them out in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 10 - 15cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Cuttings of mature wood of the current year's growth, preferably with a heel of the previous year's growth, November to February in a cold frame or sheltered bed outdoors.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Hedge;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist