Red currant 'Atrorubens'

Blood-red flowering currant (Latin: Ribes sanguineum) — a species of large ornamental flowering shrubs of the genus Ribes in the Gooseberry family (Grossulariaceae).

Its natural range lies on the western coast of North America, extending from British Columbia to California. Cultivated worldwide as an ornamental plant. This species is undemanding, grows well on fertile and moist soils, tolerates shade, but, unfortunately, is not very winter-hardy.

Appearance: a shrub 1.5-2 m high and wide, slow-growing.

Flowers: red, almost purplish, in many-flowered, spreading or drooping racemes, appearing as the leaves unfold, strongly scented; they open in May.

Fruits: blue-black berries with a glaucous bloom, slightly glandular; ripen in August.

Leaves: 3-5-lobed, dark green, on pubescent, glandular petioles, slightly pubescent above, covered with a whitish felt beneath.

Light requirements: full sun only; in shade it ages quickly.

Winter hardiness: not very winter-hardy.

Soil requirements: preferably loose loamy soils.

Care requirements: fresh or moist conditions, avoid drought or excessive wetness.

Propagation: by cuttings, layering, with stratified (2 - 3 months) seeds.

Uses: free-growing ornamental, medium or tall living hedges.

Zone: 5b