ExplorePlants

Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum Pursh

Flowering Currant is a beautiful plant with pink or red flowers that smell sweet. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies!

Habitat: Woodlands and gardens

Appearance

The Flowering Currant is a deciduous shrub that bursts with vibrant pink to deep red bell-shaped flowers in drooping clusters during early spring. Its lobed green leaves provide a lush backdrop to the showy blooms, making it stand out visually from other early-season shrubs.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaFamilyGrossulariaceaeGenusRibes
Flowering Currant
deciduous trait badgeshrub trait badgespring_blooming trait badgefragrant_flower trait badge
Flowering Currant

Category

Plants

Rarity

Rare

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

It's a cousin to gooseberries, even though it grows without their prickly thorns!

Its tart purple berries are edible, though often used for jams and jellies, not eaten fresh!

Native Americans traditionally used parts of this plant for food and even for dyes.

The 'sanguineum' in its name means 'blood-red,' referring to the vibrant flower color!

Special abilities

Ability

Nectar Beacon

Flowering Currant has bright red, tubular flowers packed with nectar that act like a beacon, drawing in hummingbirds for pollination.

Ability

Spring Pioneer

This plant blooms very early in the year, offering a vital food source for insects and birds when other flowers are still dormant.

Ability

Water Saver

Its deep root system helps Flowering Currant survive drier periods, drawing essential moisture from deeper soil layers.

Measurements & details

Height
150-300 cm
Spread
150-250 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Early spring
Edible
Yes
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

Red Flowering CurrantRibes sanguineum

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is Flowering Currant?

150-300 cm

How wide does Flowering Currant spread?

150-250 cm

How big are the flowers on Flowering Currant?

0.5-1 cm

When does Flowering Currant bloom?

Early spring

Is Flowering Currant edible?

Yes

Is Flowering Currant toxic?

None

What is Flowering Currant's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is Flowering Currant pollinated?

Insect

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

More Plants