Ribes sanguineum Johannie Whitenow! - Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum 'Johannie Whitenow!' is a vigorous and floriferous cultivar of white- flowered currant bush. This deciduous shrub blooms in early spring, at the same time as its light green foliage develops. Its leaves emit a blackcurrant aroma when crushed, which is why it is also known as "False Blackcurrant". It is a low-maintenance variety that tolerates most soils that are not too dry. It can be integrated into a flowering hedge or a shrub border.

Ribes sanguineum 'Johannie Whitenow!' is a deciduous shrub belonging to the Grossulariaceae family. It is a horticultural selection of Ribes sanguineum, a species native to the United States. 'Johannie Whitenow!' forms a spreading shrub that reaches approximately 1.80m in all directions. Its branches are quite slender and have a beautiful brown colour, ranging from mahogany to reddish. In April, earlier or later depending on the climate, the leaves and flowers appear simultaneously. The leaves, with 5 shallow lobes and toothed edges, measure between 5 and 10cm in length. They are initially very light green and darken as the season progresses.
The inflorescences are pendulous clusters, 6 to 8cm long, composed of small flowers with five pure white petals. Distributed along the length of the branches, the flowers bloom for 3 to 4 weeks. After pollination, small round black fruits covered in bloom form, measuring 7 to 8mm in diameter. The deciduous foliage falls in autumn. The white-flowered currant bush is hardy to approximately -20°C.

The White-Flowered Currant 'Johannie Whitenow!' can be planted alongside weigelas, Forsythias, Hibiscus syriacus, and Japanese quinces in a small hedge that will be in bloom from March to October. All these shrubs are hardy and low-maintenance. In a large border, it can be paired with the botanical rose Rosa glauca or other shrub roses like 'Frisson Frais' or 'Annelies'.