6-12-07: Ribes sanguineum

Red Flowering Currant is one of the all-time superb early-spring-flowering shrubs with dark green maple like leaves, growing 5ft to 10ft tall and wide at its maturity.

Well-mannered but amenable to severe pruning. In spring, Ribes sanguineum produces showy flower clusters 2-4 in. long of 10-30 small deep pink to red flowers developing into blue-black fruit. The glaucous blue-black fruits are attractive and although birds are fond of them, they are strictly survival food for humans. The name Ribes is said to be derived from the Persian or Arabic word ribas, meaning acid-tasting; sanguineum means blood-red. This shrub is native in the Pacific Northwest, therefore naturalizes well in any landscape.

Pleasant Hill Nursery is pleased to offer:

Ribes sanguineum in #3’s: $8.95