A thornless, loosely-branched, arching shrub with blue-green lobed leaves turning dull yellow in fall. In spring, golden yellow flowers appear and emit a strong, clove-like fragrance. Birds and small animals eat the black, round, berries formed June-July.
Native Plant Database
Header Photo: Mervin Wallace
Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Cliff
Season of Interest: Early (Feb - Apr), Mid (May - June)
Main Color: Yellow
Fall Color:
USDA PLANTS Range Map
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Animal
Resistance
Size
Height:
4 to
6
feet
Spread:
5 to
8
feet
Size
Height: 4 to
6
feet
Spread: 5 to
8
feet
Size
Height: 4 to
6
feet
Spread: 5 to
8
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Provides fragrance in early spring. Group in shrub borders or naturalize in open woodland areas. Informal hedge or screen. Use as a background plant in native gardens. Fruit is edible and is eaten by birds and animals.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in rich, medium or dry moisture, well-drained soil. Will spread by suckers to form colonies if suckers are not removed. Both male and female flower parts are found on a single plant, however two plants with different genetic makeup are required for fruit production.
Special Features
Special Usage
Fragrant
Basic Description
Where Should I Start?
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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.