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Ribes are hardy shrubs that prefer a sunny or very lightly shaded position.

Think about the space available as most Ribes will grow to around 2m (6ft) in height. For a smaller cultivar

Gardeners often use the word variety when referring to a specific plant, but the correct botanical term is 'cultivar'. Whichever word you use, it means a distinctive plant or plants, given a specific cultivar name and usually bred to enhance certain characteristics, such as flower or fruit size, colour, flavour or fragrance, plant size, hardiness, disease resistance, etc. Additionally, it is worth knowing that, botanically, variety has another meaning - it refers to a naturally-occurring distinct plant that only has slight differences in its looks. For example, Malva alcea var. fastigiata differs from typical plants by having an upright habit.

try R. sanguineum 'Brocklebankii' which will only grow to about 1.2m (4ft) and has yellow foliage.

Consider planting later flowering shrubs such as hydrangea or roses with the Ribes, in a mixed shrub border, so you have continued colour after it has finished flowering. You could also consider using evergreen shrubs in a mixed border with Ribes as this will help provide some winter interest.

Container grown cultivars are widely available from nurseries and garden centres all year round.

Ribes are easy to grow and will tolerate most soils that are not waterlogged

Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted.

in winter. Make sure they are in a sunny or lightly shaded position.

When To Plant

• It is best to plant Ribes in September/October or April/May. If you buy a container-grown plant in the summer, plant it as soon as possible and water it regularly, to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged
• On a very free-draining or dry soil, after planting mulch
  

  Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

  with organic matter such as rotted manure, garden compost
  

  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost:

  
  • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own.

  or leaf mould to help hold moisture in the soil
• Water thoroughly after planting

Where To Plant

• Ribes like a sunny position, but will tolerate light shade. If you plant in the shade it will produce less flowers than in a sunny spot
• Ribes are very hardy, and grow in most garden soils
• Allow enough space for your plant to grow into – flowering currants range in size from 1m (3ft) to 2.5m (8ft), depending on the species, so check the label before you buy the plant

How To Plant

• After planting, lightly tread or use your hands to firm the ground around the plant to remove any air pockets - this will ensure the soil level doesn't drop and expose the roots
• Water thoroughly, ensuring the top 15cm (6in) of soil is moist. Dig down nearby with a trowel if you are unsure how moist the soil is

How To plant Shrubs

Easy maintenance

Once established they are fairly drought tolerant and should not need watering.

However, during very dry periods they may need additional water even when established. Signs of water stress are shrivelled leaves with brown edges and leaves falling off the plant.

Ribesdo not need regular feeding, but to encourage vigorous growth after pruning, plants can be fed in March/April, with a general purpose fertiliser such as Growmore or fish, blood and bone, or mulch

Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

with organic matter.

Feeding Plants

• Pruning is not essential, but it does help keep the plant to the shape and size you want
• Ribes flower on previous season's growth, so pruning after flowering has finished encourages strong young stems which will increase the amount of flower the following year
• Prune the stems that have flowered back to strong young growth
• On established plants
  

  Established plants have been in their current location for two or three years and so have well-developed root systems able to support strong growth with healthy foliage and flowers.

  , or neglected plants, remove about a fifth of the older stems back to the base of the plant each year

Pruning early flowering shrubs

Try propagating Ribesby softwood cuttings

Softwood cuttings are taken from spring to early summer (Apr-Jun), using material from the soft and flexible young shoot tips from this seasons growth, which root readily. Use for hardy and tender perennials, deciduous shrubs, climbers and some trees.

early summer if you have a greenhouse or a propagator

A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control.

. If not, try hardwood cuttings

Hardwood cuttings are taken from mid-autumn until late winter from vigorous healthy shoots of the current year's growth - this will be woody but pliable. Use for deciduous climbers, shrubs, trees (including fruit) and some evergreens such as hollies.

in the winter.

Softwood cuttings

Hardwood cuttings

Ribes are generally free from pests and diseases, although they can be affected by honey fungus.