Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum)

Red flowering currant is a showy, popular landscaping plant that is at its best in early spring, when fragrant, dangling clusters of light to deep pink flowers adorn its branches. The flowers are highly attractive to hummingbirds, who rely on the early season nectar as they migrate. It has a multi-stemmed, upright habit, and attractive foliage that resembles soft, rounded maple leaves. Bluish-black berries with a whitish bloom ripen in the summer, and although they are edible to humans, they are best left for the birds and other wildlife. This shrub grows quickly, and is a beautiful plant for pollinator-friendly gardens. Many cultivars of this plant are available worldwide, but if the goal is to support local, native pollinators, it's always best to source a plant of local origin.

Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Soil & Moisture: Moist to seasonally dry, well-drained soil. Tolerates poor soil. Drought tolerant once established.
Mature Size: 3'-10' tall and wide
Bloom Time: Early spring
Edible: Yes
Wildlife Value: Early-season food source for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Butterfly and moth host plant. Specialist bee host. Attracts beneficial insects. Fruits are eaten by birds and other wildlife.
Native Range & Habitat: Open forest slopes, forest edges, and rocky outcrops from low to middle elevations. Native to the west coast, from British Columbia south to California.
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