Hedging Plants Flowering Currant
Name botanically known as Ribes sanguineum.
Description and uses Ribes sanguineum originates from dry open woods and rocky slopes in western North America as far south as California. It was introduced in to Britain in 1817. It is a colourful deciduous shrub with masses of long pendent intense crimson flowers in April, followed by round blue-black berries in autumn. Ribes can happily cope with maritime exposure and can be grown as an informal hedge but while it provides reasonable shelter when in leaf it can be rather bare and give little protection from wind or sound in winter. Its easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality and will survive even in heavy clay soils. While it does best in full sun, it is also quite tolerant of shade though it does not fruit so well. It can reach an eventual height and spread of three metres by 2.5 metres.
Maintenance and problems To prevent the plant from becoming congested, prune in late summer removing any dead or diseased branches and reducing the flowered shoots to a strong, lower bud. Prune specimens grown as hedges immediately after flowering and then give a two to three inch mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant Pests and diseases a Ribes should never be planted near pine trees as it can be a host to white pine blister rust. It is also very susceptible to honey fungus, and aphids. Some people find the smell of the plant offensive, while others barely notice it!
Hedging currant photograph by Smoobs, used under a creative commons attribution licence
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