When to plant red-flowering currant in Hillsboro and Beaverton, OR

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.