BBC Gardeners' World

Plant details

• Common Name: Flowering currant
• Genus: Ribes
• Species: sanguineum
• Cultivar: 'King Edward VII'
• Skill Level: beginner
• Exposure: full sun
• Hardiness: hardy
• Soil type: moist, well-drained/light
• Height: 1.2m
• Spread: 1.2m
• Flowering period: April to April

Flowering currant is a reliable performer for the spring garden, blooming every year without any special care needed to be given. Choice variety 'King Edward VII' makes a compact, upright plant that drips with dark red flowers. Like all of the flowering currants, it has a pungent scent that is stronger when the foliage is rubbed or brushed against. Plants can be left unpruned, but for the best performance it is worth cutting the branches that have flowered back to a strong pair of buds just after they have bloomed.