Ribes sanguineum 'Elkington's White'

flowering currant

• Position: full sun
• Soil: moderately fertile, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average to fast-growing
• Flowering period: April
• Flower colour: white
• Other features: bright green leaves
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  A recently introduced and still quite rare variety, that produces very showy, pendent clusters of pure white flowers in spring. After these have faded, rounded, blue-black fruits form, creating further interest. This deciduous shrub has thornless stems, and can be used as an informal, flowering hedge, as well as adding interest to the shrub border early in the year. The rich green leaves have a hairy, white reverse and are slightly aromatic.
  
  
• Garden care: In late summer remove any dead, diseased or crossing branches to maintain a healthy, open framework and reduce the flowered shoots to a strong, lower bud. Prune specimens grown as hedges immediately after flowering. After pruning apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted garden compost around the base of the plant.