Native Plants
Flowering currant
Ribes sanguineum 'King Edward VII'
King Edward VII flowering currant is an upright, deciduous shrub with spring clusters of red flowers that draw hummingbirds. In Southwest Washington, it suits a native planting, informal hedge, or woodland edge. It reaches about 6 feet tall and wide in ten years and may eventually approach 8 feet, so leave room for its mature form. Full sun supports the best flowering, though it tolerates light shade. Give it well-drained soil and water while it establishes; once rooted, it can manage with little summer irrigation. Its foliage drops for winter, leaving the early spring bloom as its main seasonal feature.
Ask about this plantAt a glance
- Mature height
- Up to about 8 ft
- Mature spread
- Up to about 8 ft
- Light
- Full sun to light shade
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 6–8
The right plant, the right place
Make room for something good.
Spring flowers make this shrub useful near a viewing area or along a woodland edge. It also fits an informal hedge or wildlife planting where hummingbirds can visit.
Where to plant
Choose a spot with full sun for the strongest flowering; light shade is tolerated. Allow for a shrub that may reach about 8 feet in both height and spread.
Through the seasons
Red flower clusters appear from late winter into spring. The foliage is deciduous and drops for winter.
Southwest Washington gardens
Give it a good start.
Flowering currant is native to the region and suits maritime Northwest gardens. Its spring bloom provides a food source for hummingbirds and other pollinators.
Soil, drainage & water
Plant in well-drained soil and water through establishment. Established shrubs tolerate dry periods and generally need little to moderate summer irrigation.
A little care goes a long way
Growing well, season after season.
Water regularly while the shrub establishes. Once rooted, it generally needs little to moderate summer water; prune after flowering to shape it or renew older stems.
Know what to look for
Common growing concerns.
Symptoms can have more than one cause. These notes are a starting point for observing your plant and improving its growing conditions.
Currant aphids
Curled leaves, distorted new growth, honeydew, or sooty mold.
Help your plant thrive
Check tender growth for aphids and conserve beneficial insects.
Powdery mildew
White fungal growth on leaves.
Help your plant thrive
Allow airflow around the shrub and prune crowded growth after flowering.
White pine blister rust
Rust symptoms can develop on currant foliage; the disease also threatens susceptible pines.
Help your plant thrive
Avoid planting near white or other five-needled pines.
A little more inspiration
Keep exploring.
Golden currant
Ribes aureum
Fragrant yellow spring flowers and variable-colored berries make golden currant useful in informal edible planting, provided its suckering habit and regional provenance are considered.
Explore this plant
Choke Cherry
Prunus virginiana
Chokecherry brings spring flowers and summer fruit to roomy habitat plantings; allow for suckers and protect people and livestock from its toxic leaves and pits.
Explore this plantFlowering currant
Ribes sanguineum 'White Icicle'
White Icicle flowering currant offers white spring flowers, wildlife value, and an upright native shrub form for sunny or partly shaded, well-drained Southwest Washington gardens.
Explore this plantGood gardens start with a conversation
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for your place.
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