Ribes sanguineum 'Pulborough Scarlet'

Pulborough scarlet currant

W North America (BC to California; dry open woodlands; Pulborough Scarlet named for Pulborough, West Sussex England; deepest red; most vigorous)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 6–9

Overview

Ribes sanguineum 'Pulborough Scarlet' is a deciduous shrub reaching 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m) tall with a spread of 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) and a vigorous, upright, arching habit. It produces pendant racemes 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) long of tubular flowers in deep scarlet-red to dark crimson—the deepest red of the R. sanguineum cultivars—in March-April, among the earliest-blooming deciduous shrubs. The lobed, maple-like leaves 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) wide are medium to dark green with a slightly musky scent when crushed. Growth rate is moderate to fast. Hardy to zone 6. Named for the village of Pulborough, West Sussex, England. The most vigorous and darkest-flowered red flowering currant. Small blue-black berries with waxy bloom follow the flowers.

Native Range

Ribes sanguineum is native to western North America—from British Columbia south to central California—in dry, open woodlands, forest edges, and rocky slopes.

Suggested Uses

Planted in borders, hedgerows, or wildlife gardens at 5-6 foot (1.5-1.8 m) spacing. Deepest red flowering currant—dark scarlet-crimson. Early spring bloom (Mar-Apr). Vigorous—needs space (6-10 feet). Hummingbird magnet. Blue-black berries for birds. Not suitable for small spaces or where compact habit is needed.

How to Identify

Distinguished from 'Brockelbankii' by the dark scarlet-red (versus soft pink) flowers, the medium green (versus golden-yellow) foliage, and the larger, more vigorous habit. Distinguished from R. x gordonianum by the solid scarlet-red (versus bicolored coppery-red/yellow) flowers and the single-species (versus hybrid) origin. The deepest red flowering currant—dark scarlet-crimson racemes, vigorous, early March-April bloom.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 10'

Width/Spread5' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

gold

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Pendant racemes 3-5 inches (8-13 cm) of tubular deep scarlet-red to dark crimson flowers, March-April—among the earliest deciduous shrub flowers. Bloom duration 3-4 weeks. Followed by small blue-black berries with waxy bloom (edible but bland).

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Deep scarlet-red to dark crimson; tubular; pendant racemes 3-5 inches; Mar-Apr; deepest red in R. sanguineum

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green; lobed maple-like 1.5-3 inches; slightly musky scent when crushed; deciduous

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 6. Vigorous grower—allow space. Drought tolerant once established—native to dry W North American woodlands. Pest and disease resistant. The musky leaf scent is normal.

Pruning

Prune after flowering. Remove one-third of oldest stems at the base annually to maintain vigor and control size. Responds well to hard renewal pruning. Vigorous—may need annual size management.

Pruning Schedule

early springlate spring

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic

Shrubs