Ribes sanguineum Red Bross - Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum Red Bross is a rather late flowering variety of currant bush, vigorous and floriferous, with flowers of a particularly pronounced red colour. It is a deciduous and very hardy shrub, whose spring flowers and light green foliage, release a sweet aroma of blackcurrant, which has earned it its other name of "False Blackcurrant". Place it in a flowering hedge, mixed with other shrubs that flower at different times or simultaneously.

The 'Red Bross' Blood Currant, obtained by Minier nurseries in 2004, is a cultivar derived from Ribes sanguineum and belongs to the Grossulariaceae family. The western United States is the birthplace of this particularly robust shrub. It is found mainly on rocky and wooded slopes from southern California to the northwest of the United States. 'Red Bross' will reach about 3 m (9 ft 10 in) in height and spread over 2 m (6 ft 7 in), its growth is fast. It has an upright and bushy growth habit. In April-May, after the leaves have unfolded, clusters of small bright red flowers with a white eye appear, measuring about 8 cm (3.1 in) long. This fragrant flowering, so welcome in spring, follows that of the classic Forsythia. The flowers are followed in August by the formation of small, round fruits that turn bluish then black and chalky, which birds love. The light green leaves are 5 to 10 cm (2 to 3.9 in) long, and have five shallow irregularly dentate lobes. They give off a delicious blackcurrant fragrance when crushed. The branches of this deciduous shrub are bare of leaves in winter.

The 'Red Bross' Blood Currant will find a place in all gardens, in an informal hedge, shrub beds, or even as a standalone specimen. It has a lot of presence when grown in a container. In addition to its association with Forsythia, which is classic and charming, you can plant it in a spring scene with Exochorda, early lilacs, Chinese almond tree Prunus triloba, or even the Japanese apricot tree. Planted in mixed groups of three or four, Flowering Currants create an effect that stands out, especially at the back of perennial beds. Finally, to fully enjoy its flowers and fragrance, you can cut flowering branches for bouquets.