Hello! I have two native red-flowering currants (Ribes sanguineum) in my yard. One is about 4 years old and the other is 2-3 years old. They both h...
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Red Flowering Currant Ailments #745439
Asked April 21, 2021, 12:05 AM EDT
Hello! I have two native red-flowering currants (Ribes sanguineum) in my yard. One is about 4 years old and the other is 2-3 years old. They both have grown vigorously, but are both exhibiting different worrying symptoms of distress. My questions:
1) The older currant bloomed the best it ever has this spring, but the new leaves are bright green with yellow leaf margins - it's occurring all over the shrub, but not on every leaf. Otherwise leaves look normal. What could be happening here? Can I do anything? I do not water it and have not watered it at all this spring.
2) Most of the 2-3 year old currant must have died off over winter and didn't grow back this spring. It bloomed and is getting leaves on only 1/4 of the large shrub. The leaves and flowers are very very small. What happened here? Again, can I do anything to help it? Also haven't watered this plant this spring.
A couple years ago, the older currant had some leaf-curling and dropping issues, so I cut away the affected parts of the plant, and it has seemed healthy since.
Thanks for any help you can provide!
Best,
Jamie
For the 'younger plant' that may be a little trickier. I have these in my own yard and I had one completely die and another one that has had significant die-back but is sending up fresh shoots. Although we think plants should live forever, some don't.
I would probably make sure you are providing supplemental water during the summer, especially when it gets really hot. Watering deeply every two weeks is better for the plant. I realize these are natives, but since they have flowered and produced seed (the fruit) you may have seedlings pop up in the soil around it and the parent plant may be done and die.
