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 Requirement

Sun Full sun to partial shade; can take northern exposures

Soil Not particular about texture, pH

Water Some summer water for good fruits; moderate drought tolerance

Fertilizer Fruits probably better with added organic matter (such as compost or manure)

Other Tolerates alkali soils, wind

Management: Prune out dead branches when dormant. Can aggressively prune, including removing

roots, to control spread. Limiting water availability will limit spread.

Propagation: from seed: may require cold storage or alternating cold/warm pretreatment. By cuttings:

relatively easy to propagate from dormant cuttings. Choose thickest stems.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 7, 12-14, 20 12/7/14

© Project SOUND

Ribes aureum var. gracillimum

Golden currant