I have Ribes sanguineum with drip irrigation every 3 days, the last 2 years I have dialed back the water to 1/3 of the time as before, and the leaves are browned on the edges now even in partial shade These grow very fast and seem to like more water than many CA natives.

From your response and my readings on line, it seems Ribes needs generous watering. Pretty funny - I've just murdered a lot of plants that need summer water in favor of natives that need summer water. Which will not help reduce my water bill......!

Everything needs water the first year. I would not consider Ribes to be high water usage...

I have Ribes viburnifolium in my front yard. I cut off the water completely to the front a year and a half ago. The Catalina perfume has not grown much since then, but it does bloom. I live about two miles from the beach and the plant gets only morning sun, so that helps.

I have a couple of Ribes viburnifolia too and they seem like cast iron plants. I barely watered mine even to get it established. That said, it is kind of an ungainly plant. I've leaned that pruning gives it a more attractive shape.