About
This deciduous, upright shrub to 1.8m tall with aromatic, lobed dark green leaves. Large clusters of tubular pink flowers flushed with white are borne in spring and may be followed by black berries.
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
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFoliage
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow in moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Useful for informal hedging
PruningPruning group 2 or Pruning group 13 if wall-trained, in late summer; trim hedges after flowering
PropagationPropagate by hardwood cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to scale insects, gall mites, gall midge and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to currant leaf spot, powdery mildews, coral spot, rust diseases and sometimes honey fungus