Ribes sanguineum 'KING EDWARD VII' flowering currant
size/type
medium-sized shrub,medium-sized shrub
usual height
1-2m
usual width
1-2m
leaves
deciduous broadleaf
colour of leaves
flowers
showy
colour of flowers
blooming time
April-May
location
full to partial sun
USDA zone (lowest)
4 (down to -34°C)
winter protection
for zone 5+6
for zone 7
categorized
Description of the plant:
Flowering currant is one of the most beautiful and easy-to-grow plants with early spring flowering. The flowers are formed in short, pending racemes. Their colour is bright pinkish-red and they come out gradually for about 3 weeks as the racemes grow. Deciduous leaves are palmate, lobed, mid green and turn yellow, orange and pink in autumn. Fruits are small berries that are edible but not very tasteful. We recommend pruning it annually after flowering. Cut back established plants by about one fourth, young plants to about one fourth of its size or 3 strong buds. It flowers on last year’s wood so it is desired to have the strongest possible branches that bear profusion of flowers.
It loves full sun and moderately fertile, well-drained soil. It is soil tolerant. We suggest buying strong plants as weak branches on young plants may dry out and die off. Fully hardy to min. -29°C (USDA zone 5).
Last update 13-04-2008.
