Red-flowering Currant
Ribes sanguineum
Grossulariaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native
Last updated
This profile synthesizes data from multiple published sources. Expert field review is in progress.
Red-flowering currant is the native shrub that announces spring in the Puget Sound lowlands. It blooms on old wood from February into March, often before anything else in the garden is awake, providing critical early-season nectar for native bees and hummingbirds. Five diseases are documented, with blister rust the most regionally significant because Ribes species serve as the alternate host for white pine blister rust. This matters if you have five-needle pines (western white pine, eastern white pine) anywhere nearby. In the landscape, red-flowering currant handles the range of lowland soils from glacial till to alluvial clay, tolerates summer drought once established, and thrives in sun to part shade. Pruning happens after flowering since it blooms on old wood. The fruit has low edibility (2/5) but birds take it readily. 'King Edward VII' and 'White Icicle' are the cultivars you actually find in local nurseries.
— Chris Welch, ISA Certified Arborist
Red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a deciduous shrub in the Grossulariaceae family native to western North America from British Columbia to California. It reaches 12 ft tall with an 8 ft spread and produces red flowers on previous season's wood. It grows at a moderate rate and occurs in open to wooded, moist to dry valleys.
Red-flowering currant is hardy in zones 7b-8b and prefers sun to part shade with adaptable soil drainage (pH 6.0-7.5) and moderate water. Three cultivars are available in the trade and five diseases are documented. The fruit has a low edibility rating (2/5).
Quick Facts
Phenological Calendar
As of April 23, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1434.4 to 1592.7 GDD₃₂. Red-flowering Currant has reached 'full bloom' (1156 GDD₃₂) and is approaching 'fall color / leaf senescence', predicted around May 28.
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Apr 23, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 1,593 | 'Full bloom' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 753 |
| Seattle / UW | 1,554 | 'Full bloom' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 792 |
| Kent / Auburn | 1,537 | 'Full bloom' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 809 |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 1,505 | 'Full bloom' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 842 |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,483 | 'Full bloom' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 863 |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,472 | 'Full bloom' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 874 |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,434 | 'Full bloom' | 'Fall color / leaf senescence' | 912 |
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| 'Bud break' BBCH '07' | 524 | '' |
| 'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' | 626 | '' |
| 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' | 667 | '' |
| 'First bloom' BBCH '61' | 756 | '' |
| ● 'Full bloom' BBCH '65' NOW | 1156 | '' |
| ○ 'Fall color / leaf senescence' BBCH '93' NEXT | 2346 | '' est. May 28 (avg) |
GDD = Growing Degree Days (base 32°F, Jan 1 start). Why base 32? GDD₃₂ thresholds from USA National Phenology Network citizen science observations (WA+OR). Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Apr 23, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 9, 2026, then climate normals.