Red Flowering Currant is a
cheery sign that spring is near
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Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a late winter wake-up call, a cheery sign that spring is on the way. These early blooming West Coast native shrubs bear drooping racemes of bright red to pink flowers that are showy for several weeks before the give way to crisp green foliage. Drought resistant and tolerant of varied soils, it likes good drainage and grows well in full sun to partial shade. This spreading shrub grows about eight to ten feet in height but may be heavily pruned to maintain a smaller stature.

Elk River Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum ‘Elk River Red’) boasts pendulous racemes of bright reddish pink star-like flowers. It is one of the earliest cultivars to bloom.

Spring Showers Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum ‘Spring Showers’) is a cultivar of the pink-flowering type that blooms a little later than Elk River Red. Its name is derived from the long drooping racemes of delicate pink blooms that cascade from the branches of this deciduous shrub.

A lively an entertaining description of the flowering currants, authored by National Public Radio’s Ketzel Levine, may be found online here. Oregon State University’s website also has good descriptions and photographs of the various Ribes cultivars. Click here for Hort 228 Landscape Plant Materials, a collection of photos of more than 450 plants which are studied in the on-campus course.
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