Ribes glutinosum (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to shade
Flowering period: Spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 2m
Hardiness: 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a
Family: Grossulariaceae
Ribes glutinosum is a deciduous shrub with a vase-shaped habit. Its mid green leaves are palmate with serrate margins, up to 7cm long and exudes a resin. Its cream/ pale pink flowers are tubular and borne in pendant racemes which are up to 10cm long. Its black/ blue fruit are spherical currants.
Ribes glutinosum, commonly known as the Flowering Currant, is native to the south west coastal regions of the USA. In its native habitat it grows in woodland areas. Ribes glutinosum is synonymous with Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum.
The etymological root of the binomial name Ribes is likely be from the Arabic Ribas, which refers to a plant now known as Rheum ribes. Glutinosum is derived from the Latin glutino meaning ’sticky’.
The landscape architect may find Ribes glutinosum useful as an attractive shrub for woodland edges. This shrub is not attractive to deer. This shrub will tolerate maritime locations.
Ribes glutinosum Flower (23/03/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Ribes glutinosum flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to some birds and mammals.
The Royal Horticultural Society has given Ribes glutinosum their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Ribes glutinosum prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Ribes glutinosum requires little maintenance. If required pruning should be carried out after flowering, this shrub will tolerate hard pruning.
