Golden Currant

Ribes aureum

Grossulariaceae

• Spokane Native
• Full Sun to Part Shade
• Size: 7’ tall x 7’ wide
• Drought Tolerant: Yes
• Evergreen: no
• Flower Color: golden yellow (April- July)
• Wildlife Value: Hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, songbirds, mammals

Deciduous upright shrub with delightfully fragrant golden-yellow trumpet-shaped flowers in spring, edible berries in summer, and brilliant fall foliage. The sweetly scented flowers have a pronounced spicy fragrance similar to cloves or vanilla. This upright shrub works well as a hedgerow. Plant in a prominent place as it is colorful from spring through fall.

Racemes of conspicuous golden-yellow flowers bloom in April through July on long, wand-like stems, providing one of the first signs of spring. Flowers are borne in drooping clusters of up to 18 blossoms. Light-green leaves are semi-leathery with 3 or 5 lobes, maintaining a nice appearance all summer before turning soft shades of yellow, orange, red, or purple-red in fall. The edible berries ripen from green to amber yellow, orange, red, or black depending on variety, reaching about 1 cm in diameter.

Highly valuable wildlife plant attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and native bees to its nectar-rich flowers. The berries are an important food source for many bird species as well as small mammals like squirrels, chipmunks, and bears. The fruits are edible raw but tart, usually cooked with sugar and made into jelly, preserves, pies, and other dishes. Flowers are also edible. Historically used by various Native American groups for food and medicine.

This plant is ideal for hedgerows, specimen plantings, wildlife gardens, native plant landscapes, and revegetation projects. Very adaptable and easy to grow, thriving in moisture regimes ranging from moderately dry to consistently moist. Tolerates most soil types including poor soils and clay. Spreads readily making it excellent for groundcover applications. Perfect for water-wise landscapes with its exceptional drought tolerance once established. Works well in formal or naturalized landscapes and provides year-round interest with its spring flowers, summer fruit, and fall color.