Water Wise Plants

RIE-bees spes-ee-OH-sum

Fuchsia Flowering Gooseberry

Shrub

4-8 ft tall x 6-10 ft wide

Very Low: water deeply several times a summer

Full to half sun, shade

Red

This California native is a large, spiny shrub that can exist with no summer irrigation. Ribes speciosum will go fully dormant during the summer, therefore it is not recommended as a summer focal plant. As soon as the winter rains begin, the plant will unfold glossy green leaves and fuchsia-like red flowers that bloom all winter. The flowers that hang along the undersides of the long arching branches are loved by hummingbirds.

Because of the spiny branches, this shrub should be kept away from walks. It makes a formidable barrier.