When to plant red-flowering currant in Oregon and Washington
In Portland: Plant red-flowering currant shrubs Mar 1 – Apr 26. In Bend: Apr 28 – Jun 23. Find your city below.
Difficulty
Easy
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Spacing
4 to 6 feet apart
Planting depth
Same depth as in the pot
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
Blooms from late winter to early spring, starting the year after planting
One of the first native shrubs to bloom, with pink flowers that arrive just as hummingbirds return in early spring. Drought-tolerant once established. West of the Cascades, fall planting is even better.
Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant red-flowering currant shrubs on your city's dates, 4 to 6 feet apart. Same depth as in the pot.
Water through the first two summers, then occasionally in drought. Prune right after flowering, cutting a few old stems to the base.
Harvest: Grown for its flowers rather than fruit. The small blue-black berries are edible but bland; birds love them.
Key numbers
Late winter–early springBloom
6–10 feetHeight
Little once establishedSummer water
HummingbirdsBest for
Growing notes
What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.
Where it grows wild
Red-flowering currant grows naturally in open woods, forest edges and clearings, mostly west of the Cascades from British Columbia into California. It's a deciduous shrub that usually reaches 6 to 10 feet tall and a bit narrower. The hanging clusters of pink to deep red flowers appear in late winter or early spring, often before the leaves are fully out, which makes it one of the first native shrubs to bloom.
Planting and pruning
Plant in full sun to part shade in soil that drains reasonably well. More sun means more flowers and less powdery mildew. West of the Cascades, fall planting is ideal because winter rain settles the roots before summer. Water through the first two summers, then only during long droughts.
Prune right after flowering, since next year's blooms form on this year's growth. Cut a few of the oldest, woodiest stems to the base every year or two to keep the shrub young and full of flowers. King Edward VII stays a little more compact.
Wildlife value
The flowers open just as rufous hummingbirds return from the south in early spring, and they're one of the birds' most important early nectar sources. Native bees, including bumblebee queens, visit the flowers too. The small blue-black berries ripen in summer and get eaten by birds. Planting red-flowering currant is one of the easiest ways to bring hummingbirds into a Northwest garden.
Common questions about growing red-flowering currant
When does red-flowering currant bloom?
From late winter into early spring, usually around March, depending on the year and location. It's one of the first native shrubs to flower.
Are red-flowering currant berries edible?
Yes, but they're small, seedy and bland. Most gardeners leave them for the birds.
Does red-flowering currant attract hummingbirds?
Yes, it's one of the best plants for them in the Northwest. It blooms right as rufous hummingbirds arrive in spring.
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