Bloomipedia
Red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum)
Photo: John A Haskins via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Red-flowering currant

Ribes sanguineum

Red-flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) is a shrub in the Grossulariaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly February–April across the U.S.

Native in the lower 48

Red-flowering currant is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in February–April.

4states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
14,870U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Oregon, Washington

Quick look

Ribes sanguineum, the flowering currant, redflower currant, red-flowering currant, or red currant is a North American species of flowering plant in the family Grossulariaceae. It is native to the western United States and Canada.

  • It belongs to the Grossulariaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 4 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Washington and Oregon. NatureServe
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. iNaturalist
  • In Oregon, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in March–May. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as red. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 12 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 5,623 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #25 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 4,848 research-grade sightings of it in Oregon, ranking #25 among the 184 flowers on our Oregon list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (2,549 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
WashingtonNativeMarch–May5,623
OregonNativeMarch–May4,848

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G5 Secure worldwide. NatureServe
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Oregon
Not listed Not on Oregon endangered and threatened plants (OAR 603-073-0070). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Oregon. OAR 603-073-0070
Rare elsewhere
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: ID (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleEdible (per NC State Extension)

NC State Extension notes: “Fruits are technically edible but better left for the birds.” NC State Extension

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list, and NC State Extension doesn't flag it for pets.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records red-flowering currant in 4 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Idaho, Oregon, Washington.

Washington counties with USDA records: Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Whatcom.

Oregon counties with USDA records: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Coos, Curry, Douglas, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Josephine, Klamath, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Washington, Yamhill.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Red-flowering currant a medium shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.0 to 7.5 and winter lows down to 7 °F.

Shade tolerance
Medium
Drought tolerance
Medium
Moisture use
Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium
Soil pH range
6.0 to 7.5
Minimum temperature tolerated
7 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
185
Annual precipitation range
14 to 30 inches
Minimum root depth
16 inches
Salinity tolerance
None
Fertility requirement
Medium
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifespan
Long
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Purple · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability
Contracting Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for RISA. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 66 counties across 4 states; the most are in Washington (22), Oregon (21), California (19).

Other Ribes on Bloomipedia (5): Golden currant, Wax currant, Missouri gooseberry, Mountain gooseberry, Stink currant.

More Washington flowers

Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May
Salal (Gaultheria shallon)

Salal

Gaultheria shallon

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–July
Pacific trillium (Trillium ovatum)

Pacific trillium

Trillium ovatum

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May

Sources