Red Flowering Currant (Ribes Sanguineum) Blood Currant Edible Fruit Blue & Black Berries Shrub Seeds

The Red Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a deciduous flowering shrub native to western North America, admired for its brilliant clusters of red blossoms and small, edible berries that ripen to blue-black in midsummer.

This versatile plant provides seasonal beauty, food for wildlife, and homegrown fruit for preserves, jellies, or fresh snacking. It is drought-tolerant once established and ideal for native gardens, hedgerows, or ornamental plantings.

Its spring flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators, while the summer fruit feeds songbirds and adds a wild edible touch to your landscape.

Features

• Bright Red Flowers: Eye-catching clusters bloom in early spring.
• Edible Fruits: Produces small, tart blue-black berries.
• Pollinator Friendly: Loved by bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
• Low Maintenance: Drought-tolerant and cold-hardy.
• Native & Ornamental: Excellent for native gardens and wildlife habitats.

• Specifications
• Common Name: Red Flowering Currant / Blood Currant
• Scientific Name: Ribes sanguineum
• Plant Type: Deciduous fruiting shrub
• USDA Zones: 5 – 9
• Mature Height: 5 – 10 ft (1.5 – 3 m)
• Spread: 5 – 7 ft (1.5 – 2 m)
• Bloom Color: Bright red to pink clusters
• Fruit Color: Blue-black berries
• Fruit Flavor: Tart, mildly sweet
• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil Type: Well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.5
• Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
• Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring
• Harvest Time: Mid to late summer
• Pollination: Self-fertile
• GMO Status: 100% Non-GMO

• Planting Guide
• Seed Preparation: Cold stratify for 8–12 weeks at 35–40°F (2–4°C) in moist peat.
• Sowing Depth: ¼ inch deep in moist, well-draining seed-starting mix.
• Temperature: Keep at 60–70°F (15–21°C) for germination.
• Light: Provide bright, indirect light.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
• Transplanting: Move outdoors in spring after frost danger passes.
• Spacing: 4–6 ft apart to allow full growth and airflow.

Care Tips

• Prune lightly after flowering to shape and encourage bushy growth.
• Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
• Apply organic compost or balanced fertilizer in early spring.
• Protect from heavy frost during the first winter.