Ribes sanguineum |
Native Region: Pacific Northwest
Zone Range: 5-9
Preferred Climate: Open woodland; Full to semi sun with well draining deep average soil.
Harvest Date: Monday 15 September, 2008
Seed count: 50-60
Description:
Bright pink and white bicoloured flowers hang in dense clusters in early Spring followed by sweet edible blue berries. Deeply veined maple like lovely green leaves turn orange, yellow and scarlet in Autumn. Suitable as specimen planting, hedges or wildscaping. Sorry, the USDA doesn't allow Ribes seed importation to a few States, please check with your local USDA extention.
Notes:
Its nectar and early flowering makes this deciduous shrub a sure fire humming bird magnet. Co evolved with our wacky west coast environment of wet winters and summer drought. Near maintanence free. Since wild plants never receive fertilizer, its probably best not to give it much if any at all. Disease and pest free.
Cultivation:
Since these fruits are taken by birds, mimicing nature is probably the best bet. Soak seed 24 hours then gently scarify seed by gently rubbing seed with some sand between your hands for about 10-20 seconds. Use a catch plate for any falling material. Sow seed 5 mm deep, keep moist and cold stratify 4 months. When cold cycle over expose to Spring conditions of 20 C. Keep pot in shade. Should germinate in 60 days.
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