6 flowering currants

Ribes x beatonii

This intriguing, very cold-tolerant hybrid has red and yellow flowers opening from deep-red buds and taking on some almost peachy tones in between. Both flowers and foliage are aromatic. Developed from R. sanguineum and R. odoratum. Good for: The very coldest parts of the country. Good as: Host for bees and other pollinators. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 5ft (1.5m). Also known as: Ribes x gordonianum.

Ribes sanguineum ‘Poky’s Pink’ AGM Assessed to be the best pink-flowered variety by the RHS, the blushed flowers are a very pretty soft shade and packed into colourful clusters. Less vigorous than most and noticeably upright in growth.

Good for: Pretty pastel spring display.

Good with: Pale-yellow daffodils. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 5ft 3in-6ft (1.6-1.8m). Also try: ‘Albidum’ is blushed white, and earlier flowering ‘Lombartsii’ has large, rose-pink, white-eyed flowers.

Ribes odoratum

Richly scented of cloves, the partially pendulous clusters of striking goldenyellow flowers open in April. These are followed by small black berries and by fine autumn foliage colour. Along with

R. sanguineum, this species leads the way in impact. Good for: Colourful flowers in an unexpected colour. Good with: Silver-leaved brunneras around the base. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 6ft (1.8m). Also known as: Ribes aureum.

Ribes sanguineum White Icicle AGM Also called ‘Ubric’, the white flowers with no hint of pink open earlier than most varieties on upright growth. Vigorous, sometimes producing long, strong growth, but responds well to pruning.

Good for: A snowfall-in-spring flowering effect. Good with: A blue-flowered Clematis alpina that flowers at about the same time. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 2.0-2.5m. Also try: ‘Elkington’s White’ is similar but bushier and less prolific.

Ribes sanguineum ‘King Edward VII’ Vigorous bushy plants carry strings of intense crimson-red flowers in late March and April. A little shorter than most varieties, so better suited to small spaces. Good for: Dramatic spring flowering display. Good with: Forsythia – makes an eye-watering combination. Hardiness: RHS H6. Height: 6ft (1.8m). Also try: ‘Koja’ is similar but shorter still. ‘Pulborough Scarlet’ is stronger growing, both with similar dark red flowers.

Ribes speciosum AGM

The fuchsia-flowered currant has red pendulous flowers that swing in clusters of up to five in April and May. The whole plant, including the 12mm red berries, is covered in bristles. Less hardy than most. Good for: A sunny wall, pruned after flowering to show off the flowers.

Good with: Dark-leaved euphorbias such as Blackbird (‘Nothowlee’). Hardiness: RHS H4. Height: 3ft 3in (1m).

Also try: Nothing else like it.