How to prune flowering currant

Immediately after flowering, typically April–May. Cut back flowered shoots by roughly one-third to a healthy outward-facing bud. Remove one or two of the oldest, most congested stems to the base each year to encourage fresh basal growth. Avoid pruning in late summer or autumn — you will remove next spring's flower buds.

Annually after flowering. Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) blooms on wood grown the previous season, so pruning immediately after flowering preserves next year's display. Annual post-flower pruning keeps the shrub shapely and prevents it becoming a leggy tangle. Hard renovation every few years rejuvenates old, overcrowded plants.

Cut back flowered shoots by roughly one-third to a healthy outward-facing bud. Remove one or two of the oldest, most congested stems to the base each year to encourage fresh basal growth. Avoid pruning in late summer or autumn — you will remove next spring's flower buds.