Flowering currants (Ribes sanguineum) are popular, easy-to-grow deciduous shrubs known for their beautiful, fragrant clusters of pink to red flowers that appear in spring among the new leaves, providing vital nectar for bees. Flowers are followed by small, edible berries in summer, making them excellent for informal hedges, wildlife gardens, and sunny borders, tolerating various soils and coastal conditions.

Ribes are adaptable to most well-drained soils, including chalk, clay, and sandy soils, preferring moderately fertile, moist conditions in full sun to partial shade.

How to plant

— Ribes bare roots are supplied in spring for planting between February and May. Bare roots require rehydration after transit and should be attended to soon after delivery. If you can't plant on the day of delivery, remove from the packaging and place the root in a bucket of water outside so it can soak, then plant within a week.

— Soak the roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting. It is possible to plant bare root shrubs directly into borders, providing the soil is good quality, free draining and the planting space is clear, weed free and cultivated. Dig over the area, removing weeds, and then dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots so that it will be fully submerged after planting. The stem should be left above the soil surface. Ensure the hole is the correct depth so that the soil is level with the point at which the roots meet the stem.

— Give your shrub a better start by improving the growing conditions in the immediate planting area. To do this, mix in some organic matter like compost or leaf mould to the planting hole while planting. This provides a soft medium and additional boost of nutrients that will help the roots settle in and grow.

— Position the shrub in the hole ensuring the base of the stem will be level with the soil surface after planting. When the shrub is in place, backfill the hole and firm down. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots.

— If your borders have challenging growing conditions/poor soil (heavy clay or light sandy soil) or if the border isn't ready for planting, you can pot up your bare root shrub so it can establish before transferring into a border later in the year. Pot up into a 20-30cm pot using multipurpose or soil based compost. Ensure the roots are fully submerged and the stem is exposed above the soil surface. Water thoroughly and allow it to grow-on in a sheltered position outside. The shrub can be transplanted to a border later in the year once it is more established and the plant easily comes out of the pot with the soil held together in a root ball.

— When planting into the garden, choose a position in full or partial shade with moist but well-drained soil.

— This shrub is deciduous and will lose its leaves in autumn. It is fully hardy and does not require winter protection.

— Water thoroughly after planting and continue watering regularly for the first year while the shrub settles in. Once established, watering is generally only needed during particularly dry/hot spells.

Aftercare

— Ribes is supplied in a dormant state and will not usually have any leaves on arrival. Leaves will emerge in spring from around March/April.

— Keep the surrounding soil consistently damp, but not boggy. In dry spells it is better water very thoroughly less often, than a frequent light sprinkling which might not reach the roots.

— Little pruning is required besides maintaining size and/or shape. You can lightly trim to shape straight after flowering. Harder pruning is best carried out in early summer when the shrub is more established, soon after flowering by removing congested or crossing branches and cutting flowered shoots back to strong, lower buds.

— Ribes flower on the past season's growth, pruning down to a few buds on its newest growth will help to maintain a bushy habit, good shape and ensure there are plenty of flowers produced the following year. Also remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches to maintain an open and well-shaped habit.

— Apply a mulch of organic matter in winter or spring, to feed the shrub and help retain moisture in the soil.

Read further general instructions about planting bare-root shrubs