Ribes sanguineum ‘King Edward VII’, Red Currant Bush

If you want a show-stopper in your garden, this gorgeous native currant is a great choice. It will be covered in deep pink flower tassels in early spring, providing a vivid splash of color to the spring landscape. The pendulous flower clusters are followed by scalloped, deep green leaves, creating a useful texture to pair with Iris, Ceanothus and Ferns. King Edward VII has a very upright vase shape, reaching between 5–7 ft. tall and 4–5 ft. wide. Provide full sun in coastal climates and bright shade elsewhere, especially in the afternoon. It needs moderate to occasional irrigation and is deciduous. The flowers provide an excellent nectar source for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds while the deep purple fruits it produces are enjoyed by birds.

King Edward VII Currant was discovered in the early 19th century and has withstood the test of time thanks to its vigorous nature, making it one of the easiest red currants to grow in somewhat warmer climates.