Ribes speciosum

Fuchsia-flowered gooseberry is a semi-evergreen shrub growing 4' tall by 6' wide. This popular shrub is one of our showiest natives. The plant's spiny, arching branches are covered in inch long, dangling cherry red blossoms from January - April. Great hummingbird plant. The flowers are followed by red fruits which persist through summer. Native to California and is found only slightly beyond California borders. The fruits provide food for birds. Gooseberry fruits were extensively used by Native Americans. Found in coastal sage scrub, chaparral, canyon bottoms, oak woodland, pine forests . Communitites located in Coastal Sage Scrub, Chaparral Between 0 and 1640 feet.

Variable shrub, growing 3-10' with numerous horizontal branches and sharp spines at nodes. Dark green, round leaves are thick and leathery. Excellent choice as a barrier plant. Fuchsia-like flowers with long, protruding stamens are crimson to cherry red and drooping; appearing January through May. Attractive to hummingbirds. Gooseberries may be evergreen with adequate summer water; otherwise, they lose their leaves in summer, then leaf out in late fall with the rains. Although preferring full sun on the coast and shade inland, they accept sun or shade, as well as moist or dry conditions. Suitable for north-facing banks, woodland gardens and the understory of native oaks. Hardy to 5F. California.

The various species of Ribes, commonly known as gooseberries and currants, are widely distributed in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere in both North America and Eurasia. They belong to the family Grossulariaceae. The group known as gooseberries have spiny branches and were formerly placed in the genus Grossularia. Currants, on the other hand, lack spines. Both groups contain species grown for their fruit as well as ones grown for their ornamental features, whether flowers, fruit, or leaves (often lobed or toothed). Ribes speciosum , our featured plant, is known as the fuchsia-flowering gooseberry due to its bright-red pendant flowers, which are somewhat reminiscent of slender Fuchsia flowers. It comes from coastal regions of the southern half of California and down into Baja California. In nature, plants are summer-deciduous, in keeping with the dry-summer climate of its native area, but the leafless period can be kept brief with some judicious watering during the summer months.

Fuchsia Flowered Gooseberry. This California native steals all the attention in our border when it is blooming. Narrow red pendulous flowers drip from the stems and makes the hummingbirds nearly delirious with delight. Glossy green leaves and reddish thorns. Partly summer deciduous.

My what pretty red flowers you have, Ribes speciosum & MY MY, what wicked THORNS! Well armed with heaps of bright red blooms & abundant prickles, this species is one of the most ostentatious in the genus & one of our showiest native shrubs period. In good years, the 4’x4’ shrub is overwhelmed with small tubular blooms in Spring, hanging all along the underside of the stems. It’s especially gorgeous from a distance, because OW, those thorns can get mean. Semi-evergreen with some water very tolerant of drought. With no irrigation, it will lose all of its foliage in Summer & you’ll get a full view of its armor. Some supplemental water in Spring & Fall keeps the leaves around if that’s your preference. A hummingbird magnet, the prickled fruits that follow bring more feathered friends. Very deer resistant, it thrives in sand & clay & is a superlative choice for growing under oaks.