Ribes sanguineum Amore

The Amore Flowering Currant is a particularly floriferous selection, with deep red flowers that emit a sweet vanilla fragrance. In spring, they bloom in small clusters along the branches. It is a very hardy shrub, with deciduous light green foliage that has a subtle blackcurrant aroma, which is why it is also known as "False Blackcurrant". Plant it in a small flowering hedge, mixed with other shrubs that bloom at different times. Its compact size also makes it suitable for container gardening.

Ribes sanguineum Amore 'Annys2003', bred by van Nijnatten in the Netherlands in 2014, is a cultivar of the flowering currant. It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family. This particularly robust shrub species originates from the western United States. In nature, it is found mainly on rocky and wooded slopes from southern California to the northwest of the United States. Amore, much more compact than the species, reaches about 1.50 m in height and spreads over 1 m, with a moderately fast growth rate. It has an upright, bushy, compact growth habit. In April-May, after the leaves have emerged, pendulous clusters measuring about 7 cm long appear along the branches. They consist of small flowers that are red with a touch of pink, highlighted by a white eye. This fragrant flowering follows that of the Forsythia. The light green, 5 to 10 cm long leaves, have five shallow irregularly toothed lobes. They release a delightful blackcurrant scent when crushed. The branches of this deciduous shrub are bare in winter.

Ribes sanguineum Amore will find a place in all gardens, in a mixed hedge, shrub borders, or even as a standalone specimen. It is equally charming when grown in a container. In addition to its classic but charming association with Forsythias, you can also plant it in a spring scene with Japanese quince, Chinese almond tree Prunus triloba 'Multiplex', or a white double-flowered plum tree Prunus glandulosa Alba Plena. Planted in groups of three or four, mixed together, Flowering Currants create an extraordinary effect, especially at the back of perennial borders. Finally, to fully enjoy its flowers and fragrance, you can cut flowering branches for your bouquets.