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Border forsythia and Red-flowering currant: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Border forsythia Forsythia × intermedia	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Red-flowering currant Ribes sanguineum
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Garden hybrid; no natural native range	Western North America, from British Columbia to CaliforniaSee state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Part sun & shade
Soil moisture
Average moisture; well-drained soil	Average moisture / Dry soil
Mature height
8–10 ft	5–12 ft
Mature spread
10–12 ft	5–12 ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–8	6–8
Season of interest
Early spring	Spring
Garden & wildlife value
Not listed in the source profile.	Spring flowers feed hummingbirds and bees, followed by fruit for birds and small mammals.
Growing notes
A large, arching shrub that blooms on older stems. Prune just after flowering to preserve next spring’s buds.	A western woodland-edge shrub; choose a locally appropriate form and well-drained soil.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.