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Red-Flowering Currant
Red-Flowering Currant botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Red-Flowering Currant

Ribes sanguineum
In the United States: Native · also called red-flowering currant, red currant

Honeybees visit red-flowering currant for its abundant early-season nectar and pollen, supporting emerging colonies during a critical foraging period with peak bloom typically in March to April. This deciduous shrub rarely produces surplus honey but is valuable for buildup. Planting is restricted in some states like Michigan due to its potential as a host for white pine blister rust.

Nectarhigh
Pollenhigh
Bloom (US) March–May
Hardiness zones5-8
Duration~2 weeks
TypePerennial
Sunpartial

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