Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum 'Elkington's White'

Water

White flowering currant requires regular watering, particularly during dry spells. During the growing season, ensure the soil around the plant is consistently moist but not waterlogged. Generally, watering about once a week with approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per plant is sufficient. However, this can vary depending on climate conditions and soil type. For mature plants, reduce watering, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions. It's critical to avoid overhead watering to prevent leaf diseases, so water at the base of the plant.

Light

White flowering currant thrives in full sun to partial shade. An ideal location would provide morning sunlight with some afternoon shade, particularly in hotter regions. Avoid deep shade, as it can reduce the plant's flowering potential and lead to leggy growth. To encourage a healthy and robust plant with abundant blooms, choose a spot that receives at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Temperature

White flowering currant performs best in temperate climates, with ideal growth occurring when the temperature is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They are hardy and can survive winter temperatures down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but prolonged exposure below this can damage or kill the plant. In the summer, they can withstand temperatures up to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but they prefer cooler conditions.

Pruning

Pruning white flowering currant is necessary to maintain its shape, remove dead or damaged wood, and encourage healthy growth. The best time to prune is late winter to early spring before new growth begins. Prune out old wood that has already flowered, aiming to remove about a third of the oldest stems to the ground each year. This rejuvenates the plant and ensures a good display of flowers the following season.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Flowering Currant prefers well-draining soil with high organic matter; a soil mix with loam, peat moss, and perlite works well. The ideal soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0.

Repotting

Flowering Currant does not need frequent repotting and can thrive in the same pot for several years. Repot every 3-5 years or when the plant has outgrown its current container.

Humidity & Misting

Flowering Currant tolerates a wide range of humidity levels but thrives best in moderate humidity; avoid extremely dry air by providing a natural outdoor environment or occasional misting indoors.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and maintain cool temperatures.

• Outdoor

  Choose a sunny to part shade spot, ensure soil drainage.

• Hardiness zone

  6-9 USDA.

Life cycle

The 'Elkington's White' flowering currant begins its life cycle when its seeds germinate in late spring or early summer, after which young seedlings establish themselves with a set of true leaves. The plant enters a vegetative stage, where it focuses on leaf and stem growth, gradually maturing to form a deciduous shrub. Over several years, it reaches flowering maturity, typically blooming in early to mid-spring with clusters of white, pendulous flowers that attract pollinators. Following pollination, the flowers develop into small, non-edible berries by late summer, which provide food for birds and other wildlife, thereby aiding in seed dispersal. As fall approaches, 'Elkington's White' prepares for dormancy, shedding its leaves and entering a period of rest during the winter months. Lastly, the plant emerges from dormancy in spring to start a new cycle, continuing to grow larger and more prolific with each passing year until it ultimately dies after its lifespan is complete.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late winter to early spring

• The Flowering Currant 'Elkington's White' is commonly propagated through softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer. To propagate by this method, a gardener would select healthy, non-flowering shoots and cut segments approximately 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) long. Leaves on the lower half of the cutting should be removed, and the cut end dipped into a rooting hormone to encourage root development. The prepared cuttings are then inserted into a well-draining rooting medium, such as a mix of perlite and peat, ensuring that at least two nodes are buried where leaves were removed. The environment should be kept humid by covering the cuttings with a plastic bag or propagator lid and placed in indirect light. Rooting typically takes several weeks, after which the cuttings can be potted up individually and grown on until they are ready to be planted out in the garden.