About
A spreading evergreen shrub with dark-green leathery leaves. In late winter and early spring perfumed, yellow-green flowers are born in pendant clusters, providing a good early season food source for pollinators. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants so more than one plant is needed for berries. Female plants produce red berries that ripen to black.
About the genus
Ribes can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes spiny, with simple, usually palmately lobed leaves and small tubular or bell-shaped, solitary or racemose flowers borne in spring or summer, followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow shrub for sun or partial shade. Works well when trained against a fence or wall.
PruningPruning group 2
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to gall mites, gall midge and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus