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Ribes speciosum
fuchsiaflower gooseberry
Coastal California and northern Baja California
Overview
Ribes speciosum is a spiny deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub reaching 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall and 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) wide. Stems carry three-spined nodes and dense bristles, giving an arching, mounded form. Leaves are rounded, lobed, glossy dark green, 0.5-1.5 inches (1.3-3.8 cm) across, resembling those of gooseberries. From late winter into spring, pendant tubular flowers hang in rows along the undersides of the branches, deep red to crimson with long protruding stamens, each about 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-1.9 cm) long. The flowers draw hummingbirds during their spring migration. Bristly red berries follow, about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) across, covered in glandular hairs. Foliage often drops during summer drought and reappears with fall rains, a summer-deciduous habit common to coastal California shrubs. The species tolerates dry shade beneath oaks and grows on coastal bluffs and canyon slopes. It is hardy in USDA zones 7-10 and withstands extended dry periods once established, though it declines in poorly drained soil. The thorny stems limit placement near walkways.
Native Range
Ribes speciosum is native to the coastal ranges of California, from the San Francisco Bay Area south through the Transverse and Peninsular ranges into northern Baja California, Mexico. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodland below 1,500 feet (450 m).Suggested Uses
Used in native and habitat gardens as a hummingbird nectar source, on dry banks, and as a thorny barrier or understory shrub beneath oaks. Suited to coastal bluff and chaparral restoration plantings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 4 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
deep red to crimsonFoliage Description
glossy dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun along the coast and in part shade inland, tolerating dry shade beneath oaks. Established plants need little or no summer irrigation and can rot if watered during heat. Coarse, rocky, sharply drained soils with a pH of 6.0-7.5 support steady growth. Fall and winter planting allows roots to establish during the wet season. Foliage drops in summer drought and returns after fall rains, so bare summer stems are normal. Supplemental feeding is unnecessary in native soils.Pruning
Pruning after flowering in spring removes dead or crossing stems and maintains the arching shape. Spiny stems make heavy thinning slow work. Renewal pruning that removes about a third of the oldest canes rejuvenates congested plants.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
late spring