1. Golden Currant – Ribes aureum var. gracillimum
(RY (or REE)-bees AWE-ree-um)
Family: Grossulariaceae (Gooseberry Family)
Native to: Western North America, in streambeds, ravines, washes and mountain slopes.
Growth characteristics: woody perennial shrub
mature height: to 10 ft.
mature width: 8-10 ft.
Erect, deciduous woody shrub that spreads by rhizomes. Branches may have somewhat “weeping”
growth habit. Roots not particularly deep (8-16 inches). Open habit for a gooseberry.
Blooms/fruits: Covered with yellow flowers in spring. Edible fruits ripen in summer-fall.
Uses in the garden: Flower and edible fruits make it an excellent addition to an edibles garden.
Showy flowers in spring and red leaves in fall make it a good specimen plant. Excellent as
windbreak, shrub, hedge or on stream banks. Good soil stabilizer. Great food source for birds and
small animals.
Sensible substitute for: small non-native yellow-flowering shrubs such as Scotch Broom.
Attracts: Flowers attract many hummingbirds, bees, butterflies (Coppers, Monarchs, others). The
berries are prized by many birds including Robins, Finches, Towhees.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to partial shade; can take northern exposures
Not particular about texture, pH
Some summer water for good fruits; moderate drought tolerance
Fruits probably better with added organic matter (such as compost or manure)
Tolerates alkali soils, wind
Prune out dead branches when dormant.
Can aggressively prune, including
removing roots, to control spread. Limiting water availability will limit spread.
Management:
from seed: may require cold storage or alternating cold/warm pretreatment.
cuttings: relatively easy to propagate from dormant cuttings. Choose thickest stems.
Propagation:
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 7, 12-14, 20
By
12/20/10
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