Red Flowering Currant

5 Gallon

$59.00

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Red Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum

A vital early-spring native shrub for hummingbirds, with showy pendulous pink-red flowers.

$59.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Red Flowering Currant is a beloved Pacific Northwest native deciduous shrub that heralds the arrival of spring with its vibrant display of pendulous pink to red flower clusters. Its lobed, maple-like leaves are deep green, turning yellow in fall. The early spring blooms, which appear before the leaves, are a vital nectar source for hummingbirds, bees, and emerging butterflies, followed by edible (but bland) blue-black berries in summer. Tough, adaptable, and shade-tolerant, it is an excellent choice for naturalistic gardens, woodland edges, or as a wildlife-friendly hedge.

Early Spring Nectar Source: One of the first shrubs to bloom, providing essential food for hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies in late winter to early spring.
Showy Pendulous Blooms: Produces striking chains of pink to deep red, tubular flowers that hang gracefully from bare branches.
Native & Wildlife-Friendly: Supports a wide range of native pollinators and birds (which eat the berries). A cornerstone plant for habitat gardens.
Adaptable & Low Maintenance: Thrives in partial shade to full sun and is tolerant of a variety of soils once established. Drought tolerant in coastal climates.
Naturalistic Landscape Use: Perfect for woodland gardens, north-facing slopes, shady borders, or informal hedges. An excellent understory plant.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Oval, glossy, dark green leaves with bronze to red tints on new growth.Flowers: Clusters of fragrant, funnel-shaped, white to pale pink flowers with persistent pink sepals bloom continuously from summer through fall.Habit: A dense, rounded, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub with arching branches and reddish stems.
Mature Height: 4–6 ft.
Mature Width: 4–6 ft.
Growth Rate: Moderate
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Extremely long blooming season.Attracts butterflies and pollinators.Drought tolerant once established.Low maintenance.Deer resistant
Landscape Uses:Informal hedge or screen.Foundation planting.Mixed borders.Container planting

Q: Does it have a fragrance?
A: The flowers have a very light, pleasant scent, but the foliage has a distinctive, somewhat musky aroma when crushed, which is characteristic of the genus Ribes. This is not typically noticeable unless the leaves are handled.

Q: Is it related to the culinary currant?
A: Yes, it is in the same genus (Ribes) as edible currants and gooseberries. While the berries of Ribes sanguineum are technically edible, they are not considered palatable for fresh eating and are primarily left for the birds. They can be used in jellies.