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Key characteristics

Family: Grossulariaceae
Height: 4 to 8 feet
Width: 3 to 6 feet
Flower color: Bright golden yellow fragrant tubular flowers sometimes aging to orange or reddish tones
Foliage color: Medium green lobed leaves often turning shades of red and orange in fall
Bloom time: Early to mid spring; often April to May
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: Low to average
Maintenance: Low; prune after flowering to shape plants and remove older stems to encourage new growth
Growing zone: USDA zones 3 to 8
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; birds that feed on the edible berries

Shrubs

Ribes aureum

Golden Currant

Ribes aureum produces clusters of tubular yellow flowers in mid spring, the blooms opening with flared tips and releasing a sweet, clove-like fragrance along the stems. The blossoms are followed by rounded berries that ripen to deep purple to black later in the season. Lobed leaves emerge fresh green and form a soft canopy through the growing season, often developing warm yellow tones in autumn.

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Water

Low to average

Bloom time

Early to mid spring; often April to May

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Cottage Gardens
Specimen Plants
Bird Gardens

Companion plants

Tulips · Bluebeard · Feverfew · Larkspur · Sea thrifts · Beautyberry

Design tip

Grow Ribes aureum near a patio or frequently traveled path where its clove-like spring fragrance can be enjoyed without making it a formal focal point. Its loose, natural character works especially well as a transition between cultivated beds and wilder plantings.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)