By Newkid
London,
United Kingdom 
Hello, my flowering currant is looking very sorry for itself. I did a bit of digging and found that one of the stems (they are about 3 inches thick as the plant must be about 16 years old) was rotten but the other stems were healthy. I tried to dig the currant up but the roots are enormous and have spread and spread. Any advice on what to do with it? I noticed a huge amount of black ants in the soil around the currant and wondered if that was significant. Grateful for your help and advice. Thanks
25 Jun, 2010
Hi Newkid. Ribes sanguineum is occasionally prone to parts dying back. It seems to be a bacterial problem that they are prone to. I would remove the old plant and put something else in. They are effectively shrubby Saxifraga's (or near relatives) so avoid planting the following in the same place, Philadelphus, Deutzia, Escallonia, Hydrangea and of course other Ribes.
25 Jun, 2010