What soil does Flowering currant grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Flowering currant hardy?

Hardy down to -23 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H7). In the colder parts of the country (Podlaskie Voivodeship) it may not survive winter without protection.

How far from the house should Flowering currant be planted?

Plant it at least 2 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Flowering currant be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2.5 plants per metre.

When does Flowering currant flower?

Flowering: April–May, red, pink, white.

How much water does Flowering currant need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

Flowering currant

Ribes sanguineum

Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -23 °C. Drought tolerance: medium.

Illustration of Flowering currant — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A fast-growing, upright then arching, thornless ornamental shrub that is covered in April, as the leaves emerge, with hanging clusters of crimson, pink or white flowers ('King Edward VII', 'Pulborough Scarlet', 'Koja', 'White Icicle'). It is very easy: it flowers best in sun but takes part shade, and grows in almost any well-drained soil. It works as an informal hedge or one trimmed after flowering, in a shrub group and as early forage for bees; cut out a few old stems at the base now and then. Not everyone likes the spicy, blackcurrant-like smell of the crushed leaves and the flowers, so do not plant it right beside a seating area. The blue-black, bloomy berries are edible but insipid and are better left for the birds.

Watch out for

It is an alternate host of white pine blister rust and very susceptible to it: do not plant it near five-needled pines such as Weymouth pine or Bhutan pine. Aphids, leaf spot, powdery mildew and coral spot occur occasionally. Thin young shoots may die back. In Central Europe the hardest frosts, below about -23 °C, can damage it.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2.2 m × 1.8 m
Hardiness: down to -23 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, red, pink, white

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2.2 m × 1.8 m
Ultimate size	1.5–3.5 m × 1.5–3 m
Hardiness	down to -23 °C (USDA 6, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, red, pink, white
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 2 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 26, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Hedge plants Plants for screening Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Flowering shrubs Plants with autumn colour Shrubs with autumn colour

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Looks good next to it

Maltese cross

Lychnis chalcedonica

Heather

Calluna vulgaris

Hardy kiwi

Actinidia arguta