Ribes sanguineum
Photo by Caroline Christman
Gardening with Natives
Caroline Christman
If you have a shady spot in the garden to fill, look no further than the flowering currant. Ribes sanguineum and R. sanguineum var. glutinosum are wonderful plants for the Marin habitat garden; they are beautiful, easy to care for, and provide food for a wide variety of native birds and insects. They are also readily available at many nurseries and local plant sales.
Although winter deciduous, flowering currants add interest to the garden all year round. They have an upright growth habit, creating an elegant form that gradually expands to create a vase-shaped shrub up to 10 ft high and 6 ft wide. They are great as a foundation plant along edges, fence lines, or in corners, providing a structural element and backdrop to lower growing plants. In winter, leaves drop to reveal delicate branches. Soon after, pendant pink flowers emerge like hanging chandeliers to brighten shady nooks and attract pollinators. Soft green foliage begins to grow in spring as the flowers fade.
Flowering currants are drought-tolerant in coastal zones. They do well in shade or part shade, such as under oaks or bay laurel, in north or east-facing areas of the garden, or along the outer edges of a riparian corridor (as long as their feet are not wet and soil drains well). They also can do well in more acidic soil under conifers. Once established in a shady spot, they will generally not need summer water. However, if planted in full sun or areas with hotter summer and fall conditions, summer water may be needed.
Ribes sanguineum bush
Photo by Caroline Christman
The entire flowering currant plant has habitat value for native wildlife. In winter and spring flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies (including Monarchs). Later in the year berries are a food source for a variety of birds and small mammals and foliage is eaten by caterpillars. Deer will also browse on currant foliage, so netting or protection of some kind may help young plants get established.
In my walks around Sausalito, I visit this flowering currant in an east-facing garden under coast live oak and bay laurel. It is on the boundary between two houses, and though both gardens have recently been redone, the flowering currant has been saved. I like to think it is an inspiration, as the houses on either side have added native plants to their gardens. In all seasons, it beckons to me; as I round the corner and catch my first glimpse of pink flowers or the smudge of distinctive green it brings a smile to my face.
See more about R. sanguineum and R. sanguineum var. glutinosum at Calscape.
Do you have stories, tips, or photos from your garden that you’d like to share? Please send these to Ann Elliott for inclusion in an upcoming Marin CNPS Newsletter.