Guest post by Katrina & Clayton
Flowering currant, usually referring to Ribes sanguineum, is a beautiful deciduous shrub that is particularly well suited to Scotland’s cool and often damp climate. Unlike the currant bushes grown primarily for their fruit, flowering currant is valued for its clusters of fragrant pink, red or white flowers that appear in Spring, often providing an important early source of nectar for pollinators. It is also a useful structural plant for wildlife gardens, mixed borders, hedges and food forest systems.
Flowering currant is primarily grown as an ornamental and wildlife plant rather than as a food crop. The berries are technically edible when fully ripe, although they are generally considered inferior in flavour to cultivated blackcurrants, redcurrants and other fruiting Ribes. They can be somewhat bland or insipid and are more commonly left for birds.
If growing flowering currant as part of a productive garden, its greatest value is therefore its flowers, wildlife support and contribution to garden structure rather than its fruit yield.
It is important to correctly identify the species before eating any plant material. Ornamental shrubs should never be consumed unless their identity and edibility are known with confidence.
Growing Conditions and Soil For Flowering Currant
Flowering currant is naturally suited to temperate climates and performs well in Scotland. It grows best in full sun to partial shade, with a sunny position generally producing the greatest number of flowers. A little afternoon shade can be beneficial in particularly exposed or dry locations, while shelter from strong winds will help protect flowering branches during Spring.
The shrub is adaptable when it comes to soil but performs best in fertile, moisture-retentive and well-drained soil. It dislikes sitting in permanently waterlogged ground, so drainage is particularly important in Scotland where heavy rainfall can leave poorly drained areas saturated through Winter.
Before planting, improve poorer soil with well-rotted compost or organic matter. Heavy clay can benefit from the addition of organic matter to improve its structure and drainage, while very light sandy soil may need additional compost to help retain moisture. A slightly acidic to neutral soil is suitable, although flowering currant can tolerate a fairly broad range of soil conditions.
Planting Times For Flowering Currant
The best time to plant flowering currant in Scotland is during the dormant season, from late Autumn through to early Spring, provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Planting between November and March allows the shrub to establish its root system before the growing season begins.
Bare root plants are particularly suitable for planting during the dormant period and are often an economical way to establish hedges or several shrubs. Container grown flowering currants can be planted at other times of year, but Autumn and early Spring are still preferable because the cooler conditions reduce transplant stress.
Choose a planting position carefully because mature flowering currants can become substantial shrubs. Give each plant enough room for its eventual spread and avoid placing it too close to buildings, paths or smaller plants that could be overshadowed.
Dig a hole wider than the root system and deep enough for the plant to sit at the same level as it was previously growing. Backfill with the excavated soil mixed with compost if necessary, firm gently around the roots and water thoroughly. A layer of organic mulch around the base will help retain moisture while the roots establish.
Caring For Flowering Currant
Begin by removing dead, damaged or diseased branches. Older stems can then be cut back to the base to encourage fresh shoots from the ground. Removing some of the oldest wood each year helps maintain a balance between young and mature branches.
If the shrub has become overgrown, it can tolerate more substantial renovation pruning. Rather than cutting every branch back at once, remove around one third of the oldest stems over several years. This gradually rejuvenates the plant while allowing it to continue flowering.
Regular harvesting of flowering branches for indoor arrangements can also act as a light form of pruning, provided you do not remove too much of the plant at once.
Once established, flowering currant is relatively low maintenance. During its first growing season, water regularly during dry periods to encourage the development of a strong root system. After establishment, rainfall in Scotland will often provide much of the moisture it needs, although watering may still be necessary during prolonged dry spells.
Applying a generous layer of compost, leaf mould or well-rotted organic matter around the base each Spring helps maintain soil fertility and moisture. Keep the mulch slightly away from the main stem to prevent excessive moisture from collecting directly around the base.
The shrub is generally robust, although aphids and fungal problems can occasionally occur. Encouraging birds, ladybirds and other beneficial wildlife can help maintain a natural balance.
Companion Planting For Flowering Currant
Flowering currant makes an excellent companion plant in wildlife friendly gardens because its early flowers provide valuable nectar for pollinators. It can be planted alongside willow, hazel, hawthorn and other Spring flowering shrubs to create a succession of food sources for insects.
Within a food forest or productive garden, flowering currant can occupy a shrub layer beneath taller fruit and nut trees. It works particularly well with Spring bulbs, perennial herbs and shade tolerant ground covers.
Plants such as comfrey, chives, wild strawberries and clover can be incorporated around the wider planting area, creating a diverse habitat rather than relying on a single plant species. This layered approach fits particularly well with permaculture principles, where ornamental, edible and ecological functions can overlap.
Avoid overcrowding flowering currant with plants that require extremely dry soil, as the shrub prefers more consistent moisture.
Growing Flowering Currant in Scotland
One of the greatest benefits of flowering currant is its value to wildlife. Allowing the flowers to bloom naturally provides an early food source for pollinators, while the later berries can provide food for birds. This makes it a particularly useful addition to a Scottish garden designed around biodiversity.
Flowering currant is a dependable and attractive shrub that deserves a place in many Scottish gardens. Its ability to tolerate cool conditions, combined with its beautiful Spring flowers and wildlife value, makes it far more than simply an ornamental plant.
Whether planted as part of a mixed hedge, beneath fruit trees in a food forest or as a feature shrub in a garden border, flowering currant provides structure and seasonal interest with relatively little maintenance. With fertile, well drained soil, sensible pruning and regular organic mulching, it can thrive for many years.
For a garden built around biodiversity and sustainable growing, flowering currant offers an excellent combination of beauty, resilience and ecological value. While its berries are not usually grown as a food crop, the Spring flowers and wildlife benefits make this hardy Scottish friendly shrub a valuable addition to the garden.
Katrina & Clayton
Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.
Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.
They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine. Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.
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