Introducing...
Ribes
Common name: Flowering Currant
A valuable nectar source for foraging bees early in the year, these undemanding shrubs are useful in a shrub border, combined with spring bulbs and perennials, or as a loose hedge. Some have leaves that turn yellow before falling in winter.
Looks
Short, dangling clusters of white, pink or yellow flowers are produced in abundance at around the same time as new leaves appear in spring. These are sometimes followed by red or black berries in autumn.
Likes
Flowering currants thrive in most fertile soils that are not waterlogged in winter, preferably in full sun to get more flowers over a longer period.
Dislikes
They dislike permanently wet and very dry soils and will not flower well in shade.
Did you know?
Though their berries are unpalatable, flowering currants are related to blackcurrants and gooseberries.
Growing guide
How to grow ribes
All the information you'll need to grow and care for ribes in your garden
Ribes we recommend
Ribes sanguineum 'Pulborough Scarlet'
flowering currant 'Pulborough Scarlet'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Ribes sanguineum 'Tydeman's White'
flowering currant 'Tydeman's White'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Ribes sanguineum White Icicle ('Ubric')
flowering currant [White Icicle]
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Ribes sanguineum 'Pulborough Scarlet'
flowering currant 'Pulborough Scarlet'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Ribes sanguineum 'Tydeman's White'
flowering currant 'Tydeman's White'
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Ribes sanguineum White Icicle ('Ubric')
flowering currant [White Icicle]
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Useful advice
Hedges: selection
Shrubs: pruning early-flowering
Shrubs: smaller for year round interest
Trees and shrubs: planting
Get involved
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