Red Flowering Currant - p’əp’ayəqədac - (Ribes sanguineum)
Red Flowering Currant is a large deciduous shrub with small, crinkly, five-lobed leaves similar to maples that have been known to emit a fragrance reminiscent of sage on hot summer days. Drooping flower clusters bloom February through April. The flowers, which vary from white to pale pink, to a vibrant rose pink, to a deep red in color, act as a beacon to migrating hummingbirds, as well as butterflies and other pollinators.
Red Flowering Currants fruit ripens in August and September; a blue-black, waxy berry, that are deliciously tart and make great pies and jams. A firming and revitalizing face mask can also be made with the fruit.
*Prefers full sun to partial shade but tolerant of full shade.
*Tolerant of a variety of soils as long as they are well-drained. Once established drought tolerant.
*Suitable on slopes, in open areas, on the margins of urban/suburban yards, or on forests edge.
*3 to 10 feet in height, 6 to 8 feet wide
*Sold Bare Root
*Sold in bundles of 5
p’əp’ayəqədac *Lushootseed provided by the Puyallup Tribal Language Program and audio by Chris Briden, Puyallup Tribal member.