When does Ribes sanguineum bloom?

Flowering currant typically blooms from February through April, with pink to red flower clusters appearing before or alongside new leaves.

What pollinators visit Ribes sanguineum flowers?

The early nectar-rich blooms attract hummingbirds and bees, making this shrub valuable for pollinators emerging in late winter and early spring.

How much sun does flowering currant need?

It grows best in full sun to part shade. In hotter inland gardens, afternoon shade helps keep the foliage from scorching.

How much water does this shrub need?

Flowering currant does well with medium moisture and, once established, can tolerate lower summer water typical of Pacific coast climates with dry summers.

What kind of growth habit does Ribes sanguineum have?

It is an upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that works well in woodland edges, hedgerows, and mixed borders.

Is Flowering Currant toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Flowering Currant as toxic to livestock.

Is Flowering Currant HOA-friendly?

Flowering Currant is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Flowering Currant

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ribes sanguineum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Ribes sanguineum is a deciduous shrub that flowers from February through April, producing pink to red blooms that draw hummingbirds and early-season bees along the Pacific coast.

Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum) is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs or cats (aspca.org (opens in new tab), last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Flowering Currant as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

36"–120" H × 36"–96" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr

Native to

CA, ID, OR, WA

Pollinators

hummingbirds, bees

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Northwestern Forested Mountains Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains North American Deserts Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Flowering currant is a deciduous native shrub with showy pink to red blooms in late winter through spring. It grows 3-10 feet tall and wide with attractive lobed leaves that provide nice fall color.

Growing Flowering Currant

Grow Flowering Currant in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 120 inches tall and spread 36 to 96 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Flowering Currant is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.

Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.

May look sparse in winter after leaf drop
Requires regular pruning to maintain neat shape

Wildlife value

This shrub is highly valuable for early-season pollinators, attracting hummingbirds and native bees when few other plants are blooming. Birds may also eat the small fruits that follow the flowers.

Common questions

When does Ribes sanguineum bloom?: Flowering currant typically blooms from February through April, with pink to red flower clusters appearing before or alongside new leaves.
What pollinators visit Ribes sanguineum flowers?: The early nectar-rich blooms attract hummingbirds and bees, making this shrub valuable for pollinators emerging in late winter and early spring.
How much sun does flowering currant need?: It grows best in full sun to part shade. In hotter inland gardens, afternoon shade helps keep the foliage from scorching.
How much water does this shrub need?: Flowering currant does well with medium moisture and, once established, can tolerate lower summer water typical of Pacific coast climates with dry summers.
What kind of growth habit does Ribes sanguineum have?: It is an upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that works well in woodland edges, hedgerows, and mixed borders.
Is Flowering Currant toxic to dogs?: Flowering Currant is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for dogs (aspca.org).
Is Flowering Currant toxic to cats?: Flowering Currant is not on the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center toxic plant list for cats (aspca.org).
Is Flowering Currant toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Flowering Currant as toxic to livestock.
Is Flowering Currant HOA-friendly?: Flowering Currant is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

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