Plant Data Sheet
red-flowering current Ribes sanguineum var. sanguineum
Range
British Columbia south to northern California, from the coast east to the Cascade Mountains. Also Idaho.
Climate, elevation
Low to mid elevation. Moderate winter temperatures (average low temps 32F-37F with extremes in the single digits). Mild summer temperatures with growing season extending approximately March to October. Dry summers and wet winters.
Local occurrence (where, how common)
Common. Dry to somewhat moist wooded or open sites. Also rocky slopes and disturbed sites.
Habitat preferences
Intolerant of saturated soil. Full sun to part shade.
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator, competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late successional)
Colonizer. Not a nitrogen fixer.
Associated species
In part shade: bigleaf maple, bitter cherry, Doug-fir, grand fir, baldhip rose, evergreen huckleberry, Indian-plum, mock-orange, Pacific rhododendron, salal, vine maple, sword fern, ocean spray, Western serviceberry. In sun: Pacific madrone, snowbrush, hairy manzanita, kinnikinnick, blue elderberry
May be collected as: (seed, layered, divisions, etc.)
Seed, hardwood cutting, layer.
Collection restrictions or guidelines
Collect seed as soon as fruit is ripe (blue-black) in mid-July until late August. Hardwood cutting in late autumn to early winter, outdoor nursery beds.
Seed germination (needs dormancy breaking?)
If seed is not sown in the fall, it requires 3-51/2 months cold strat at 32F-36F.
Seed life (can be stored, short shelf-life, long shelf-life)
Long.
Recommended seed storage conditions
Put clean, dry seeds in an airtight container in a cool dry place. Ideal temp for storage is between 34F-38F. Do not expose to freezing temps.
Propagation recommendations (plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
High seed abundance. Hardwood cuttings: cut out all but the top three to four buds.
Soil or medium requirements (inoculum necessary?)
Installation form (form, potential for successful outcomes, cost)
Seeds, container plants, hardwood cuttings.
Recommended planting density
Care requirements after installed (water weekly, water once etc.)
Container plants require weekly watering the first summer. Do not let soil become saturated. Tolerates 14"-30" precipitation per year.
Normal rate of growth or spread; lifespan
Long life, moderate growth rate.
Sources cited
Pojar & Mackinnon. 1994. Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast.
Liegh, M. 1997. Grow Your Own Native Landscape.
Data compiled by (student name and date)
Katie McGowan April 16, 2003