We tend to think of currants as being from Europe, Russia or Eastern North America. The pink flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum glutinosum, is actually endemic to canyons and riparian sites of the coastal ranges of California. Because it is an understory species that lives in the partial shade of large trees, it is quite tolerant of shade, and even prefers a bit of shade rather than full sun.
Mature specimens might reach first floor eaves, and get as wide as six feet. Aging stems of maturing plants should be pruned out to promote growth of new stems. New plants should probably be staked loosely until they disperse stabilizing roots. Although tolerant of drought, pink flowering currant is happier with occasional watering, and will actually tolerate poor drainage through winter.
Pendulous trusses of tiny pink flowers bloom like small wisteria flowers late in winter or early in spring. They are mostly done by now. Small and sparse currants get eaten by birds almost before they get seen. The deciduous foliage turns only soft yellow before falling in autumn. The handsome and slightly aromatic palmate leaves look and smell almost like those of a scented geranium.
Tony Tomeo 
I’d forgotten about these plants… I used to see them in my parents’ garden when I was a child in NZ.
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Wow, I would not expect them to be popular or even available there. They are not very common even here.
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I had a lovely one in the UK…probably too hot for them in SW France! The flower essence is for those who feel defeated and have lost heart, it helps them to see their inner strengths, giving them back their confidence.
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Someone else just commented that she was familiar with them in New Zealand. I am surprised that they are out and about outside of California. They are not very common here. They live in some pretty warm areas here, so probably would not have any problem in Southern France. However they do prefer a bit of partial shade, even in cool regions. They are understory plants.
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We benefit from our neighbour’s ribes which cascades beautifully over the fence into our garden!
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That usually works best for high maintenance or messy plants that are nicer to see at a distance without actually taking care of them. Pink flowering currant is well behaved; but if it is nice next door, there is certainly nothing wrong with that.
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One of my fave shrubs! The native version here in BC doesnt get as large. The flowers smell of currants too!
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The foliage and stems are nicely aromatic when they get warm too.
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I once had a yellow flowering current the flowers of which had a wonderful spicy scent. I would love to have another as it would perfume the whole area. I’ve never seen pink flowering currents before, they’re lovely.
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There is a white one that looks like the pink one. The pendulous flowers are like fat ice cycles.
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Ooooh, that’s pretty!
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Yes they are. It is plant that I do not think much about until I see them in bloom.
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They are such a cheerful spring sight.
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Yes, and they are so distinguished, like wisteria or flowering quince.
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