Plant of the week

GORDON’S CURRANT, RIBES x GORDONIANUM

DON’T expect currants from this sterile hybrid shrub. But do look forward to beautiful flowers each April. These are clustered on short, hanging stems and are red in bud, opening to show pink and primrose yellow interiors. Gordon’s currant is a cross between flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum, and the wild mountain red currant, R. petraeum. Untouched plants grow as attractive, clump-forming shrubs, up to 2 metres high. Like most currants, R. x gordonianum responds well to pruning.