White Icicle Flowering Currant Ribes sanguineum White Icicle = 'Ubric'
![flowering currant [White Icicle]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fplants-admin.emdemapps.com%2Fimages%2Fplants%2F%2Fimages%2F604b5fe15ab5b.png&w=3840&q=75)
ABOUT
The "White Icicle" is a striking ornamental plant known for its impressive display of flower clusters. The plant boasts a lush, upright growth habit, which is further accentuated by the cascading racemes of its pristine white flowers. These blossoms emerge in the early stages of spring, providing a stark and beautiful contrast against the plant's deep green foliage. The flowers themselves are delicate and tubular, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees to the garden. As the backdrop to these blooms, the foliage consists of rounded leaves that are lobed and have a gentle serration on the edges. The leaves develop a fresh green color as they emerge, maintaining this vibrant hue throughout the growing season. Following the flowering period, the "White Icicle" develops small berry-like fruits, which typically are not a prominent feature and are often hidden beneath the foliage. This plant, with its combination of floral and foliar beauty, adds elegance and interest to garden spaces.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Grossulariaceae
Synonyms
White Icicle Flowering Currant, White Icicle Red Flowering Currant, 'Ubric' Flowering Currant
Common names
Ribes sanguineum 'Ubric' White Icicle.
ToxicityTo humans
White Icicle currant is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, individual sensitivities can vary, and it is always advisable to avoid ingesting plants that are not commonly recognized as food sources. If a person ingests a significant amount of White Icicle currant and experiences adverse reactions, it would be wise to consult a medical professional.
To pets
White Icicle currant is not commonly known to be toxic to pets. However, the same precautions that apply to humans should be observed for pets. If your pet consumes parts of the White Icicle currant and shows symptoms of distress such as vomiting, diarrhea, or unusual lethargy, it is important to contact a veterinarian.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Spread
6 feet (1.8 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: 'White Icicle' adds visual interest to garden landscapes with its pendulous clusters of creamy-white flowers during the spring season.
- Attracts Wildlife: The blooms of the Flowering Currant are a nectar source for pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds, enhancing biodiversity.
- Low Maintenance: Flowering Currant is known for being easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and tolerance of a range of soil conditions.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens in drier climates or for water-wise landscaping.
- Seasonal Interest: It provides year-round interest with flowers in the spring, attractive foliage in the summer, and sometimes colorful fall leaves or berries.
- Naturalization: Flowering Currant can spread under the right conditions, creating natural-looking drifts that integrate well in wild gardens or larger landscapes.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Ribes sanguineum White Icicle, commonly known as the flowering currant, can be used in floral arrangements for its attractive clusters of white flowers, adding a touch of elegance to bouquets and indoor decorations.
- The dense and bushy growth habit of the flowering currant makes it suitable for creating informal hedges or garden borders, offering privacy and structure to the landscape.
- With its early spring blooms, the flowering currant provides an essential nectar source for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, during a time when few other plants are in flower.
- The flowering currant's foliage provides a unique texture in garden design, contributing lush greenery throughout the growing season that contrasts well with other plants.
- Its robust nature allows it to be used in erosion control projects, especially on slopes or banks where its root system can help to stabilize the soil.
- Flowering currant can serve as a natural windbreak when planted in a row or cluster, reducing wind speed and protecting more delicate plants in the garden.
- The plant's berries are a source of food for various birds, making it a great addition to wildlife gardens where the goal is to attract and support local bird populations.
- When planted in school gardens or educational habitats, the flowering currant can be a valuable teaching tool to demonstrate the life cycle of plants and the importance of native flora for ecosystem health.
- The tall and arching growth of the flowering currant allows it to be trained against a wall or fence, offering a living, flowering screen that changes with the seasons.
- The flowering currant can also be used in rain gardens, where its tolerance for occasional watering and its deep root system make it beneficial for absorbing excess runoff and improving water quality.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Flowering Currant is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Flowering Currant is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Purity: The 'White Icicle' variety of Ribes sanguineum features pristine white flowers, which traditionally symbolize purity and innocence.
- Temporary beauty: As a flowering shrub, Ribes sanguineum showcases the transient nature of beauty with its fleeting blooms that signal the arrival of spring and then fade away.
- Rebirth and renewal: Blooming in the early spring, Ribes sanguineum 'White Icicle' embodies the themes of rebirth and renewal as it awakens from the dormancy of winter.
- Adaptation: This plant is known for its adaptability to different environments, symbolizing the ability to thrive in changing conditions.
- Hope: The early flowering of Ribes sanguineum represents hope and the anticipation of the warmer months to come after a long winter.
WaterFlowering Currant 'White Icicle' prefers consistently moist soil, so aim to water deeply once a week, providing about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water each time, depending on weather conditions. During hot or dry spells, check the soil moisture more frequently and water as needed to prevent the soil from drying out completely. Reduce watering in the winter when the plant is dormant, but do not allow the soil to become bone dry. Ensure that the plant has good drainage to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.
LightThe ideal light conditions for Flowering Currant 'White Icicle' are full sun to partial shade. It can adapt to a variety of lighting situations, but it flowers best when it receives several hours of direct sunlight each day. An eastern or western exposure that provides sun in the morning or late afternoon is suitable, while too much intense midday sun can cause leaf scorch in exceptionally hot climates.
TemperatureFlowering Currant 'White Icicle' can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it thrives in climates where winter temperatures do not drop below about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant is hardy up to USDA zone 6 and can withstand summer heat as long as it is not extreme. The ideal temperature range for this plant is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, which encourages healthy growth and flowering.
PruningPruning Flowering Currant 'White Icicle' is important for maintaining its shape and encouraging a prolific bloom. Prune immediately after the flowers fade in late spring to early summer, cutting back flowered shoots to strong buds, and remove any dead or damaged wood. Pruning every year or every other year will keep the plant vigorous and prevent it from becoming too leggy. The best time for pruning is when the plant is still in a dormant state or just as the new growth begins.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFor the Flowering Currant 'White Icicle', prepare a well-draining soil mix with loamy or sandy texture, enriched with organic matter. Maintain a soil pH between 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.
RepottingFlowering Currant 'White Icicle' grows well outdoors and typically does not require repotting. Monitor growth and repot in a larger container if grown in pots every 2-3 years.
Humidity & MistingFlowering Currant 'White Icicle' is adaptable to various humidity levels and prefers average atmospheric moisture found in outdoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Grow in bright light, cool temps, and ensure well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, partial sun to full sun exposure.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Ribes sanguineum 'White Icicle'—more commonly known as White Icicle flowering currant—begins with seed germination, which requires stratification to break dormancy and typically follows a period of cold winter temperatures. Once germinated, the seedling develops into a juvenile shrub with characteristic three-lobed leaves and gradually matures over several years into a full-sized shrub reaching up to 6-8 feet tall. During early spring, mature shrubs burst into bloom with long, pendulous racemes of white flowers that are attractive to pollinators like bees. Following pollination, the flowers develop into small, inedible berries that often attract birds and other wildlife, playing a role in seed dispersal. As a deciduous plant, White Icicle flowering currant sheds its leaves in the fall, entering a period of dormancy through winter. With proper care and favorable conditions, this perennial shrub can live and continue its cycle for many years, often requiring pruning to maintain health and vigor.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to early summer
The most popular method of propagating Ribes sanguineum 'White Icicle', commonly known as White Icicle Flowering Currant, is through softwood cuttings. This is typically done in late spring or early summer when new growth is mature enough to be snipped but still tender. Cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches long with several leaf nodes. Leaves on the lower half of the cutting are removed, and the cut end can be dipped in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development. The prepared cuttings are then placed in a mixture of peat and perlite or sand to provide good drainage and aeration. It's essential to keep the cuttings moist and in a bright, indirect light position until roots have developed, which usually takes several weeks.
