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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): |
Every garden needs a bit color in spring. The locally native currant and gooseberry bushes (genus Ribes) are among the most reliable early bloomers in local gardens. Our Golden Currant has bloomed now for several weeks and should provide a welcome spot of ‘gold’ for a few more weeks (see above). It’s scientific name, Ribes aureum, is pronounced
ri-BEEZ OW-ree-um.
The
genus Ribes is a member of the
Currant family, the Grossulariaceae. Some taxonomists have placed Ribes in the Saxifrage family, although
its members differ significantly from Saxifragaceae. Grossulariaceae
is notable for woody deciduous shrubs that produce edible berries; the
Saxifrages are herbaceous with dry fruits. The current consensus is that
Currants and Saxifrages are sister species; and that the Currant family
contains a single genus (Ribes),
although some taxonomists place the gooseberries into a separate genus: Grossularia. We’ll
have to see how that debate plays out.
The
majority of Ribes species are native
to the Northern Hemisphere (primarily North America and Asia, but also Europe);
species from the Southern Hemisphere are limited to mountainous regions. Gooseberry species have prickles (thorns) on
their stems, while currants do not. Currants
and gooseberries are grown commercially for fruit and also used as ornamental
shrubs.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): spring buds |
There
are 10 (possibly 11) different Ribes
species native to Colorado. The western
Slope is blessed with several natives, including Ribes aureum var. aureum (Golden Currant), Ribes cereum var. cereum (Wax Currant); Ribes coloradensis [aka Ribes laxiflorum]
(Colorado Currant); Ribes interme var interme (Whitestem currant), Ribes
lacustre (Prickly Currant), Ribes leptanthum
(Trumpet Gooseberry), Ribes montigenum (Alpine
Prickly Currant), and Ribes wolfii (Wolf’s Currant). The Clove/Buffalo Currant (Ribes odoratum; sometimes
also known as Ribes aureum var. villosum), native to the
U.S. Midwest, is also grown in local gardens, often as the ‘Crandall’ cultivar.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): in the wilds, Western Colorado. |
Most Western Slope Ribes grow at elevations greater than 4000 ft. (sometimes much higher), usually along stream banks and on mountain slopes. Our local Golden Currant, Ribes aureum var. aureum, grows from the west coast to the Rockies/Four Corners states, TX and ND, as well as Southern Canada (British Columbia to Quebec). It commonly grows along stream banks and other moist/seasonally moist places in shrubland, woodland and forest communities below 3000 ft (900 meters) elevation. In Western Colorado, Ribes aureum var. aureum commonly grows from about 4000-8500 ft. elevation.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): plant growth and development |
Cultivated since the early 1800s , Golden currant is a woody shrub 6-8 ft (~2-2.5 m) tall with a spread of about the same. Like all currants, its stems are ‘unarmed’. Unlike some local species, Golden currant grows by adding new stems at the base and sprouting from rhizomes (underground stems). A young plant will have only a few stems – mature plants will have many more (see above). The actual stem characteristics depend greatly on the amount of light the plant receives (see below). The stems are shorter, stockier and more erect in sunnier locations and more wand-like in shade.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): development in sun and shade |
Golden currant is stress-deciduous, losing its leaves either during the hot, dry fall or with the first cold snap. The leaves are medium green with the three lobes typical of the genus (see photo above). The leaves become red- or purple tinged – and may become entirely red – in fall. In fact, they are a good source of fall color in local gardens.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): Fall color |
The
flowers of Golden currant are a bright, golden yellow – in fact the name
‘aureum’ refers to their golden color. Plants
flower early in the year – as early as April
in USDA Zone 6 and as early as January or february in warmer climates. The
bloom season is about a month. The
flowers of Ribes aureum var. gracillimum often become more red as
they age, an added benefit this time of year.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): Flowering plant |
The flowers have five petals and are ‘perfect’ (have both male and female parts). While individual flowers are small, the drooping floral clusters are quite showy (see above). The flowers of var. gracillimum have either no/little scent or a mild sweet fragrance, and many early pollinators that visit them. We’ve seen native bees (including Bumblebees), European honeybees and pollinator flies visiting our plants in Mother Nature’s Montrose Garden.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): flowers, close-up |
In
warmer climates, rhe most showy visitors (above) are Monarch butterflies and hummingbirds. Plant any of our native Ribes if you want to attract hummingbirds. They will fiercely protect their currants and gooseberries from
other hummingbirds/insects – and even scold you
if they think you’re getting too close!
The
fruits of Golden currant are edible – in fact they are among the tastiest of
the native currants. Ripe berries are a
translucent orange to red or even dark purple.
You’ll know fruits are ripe when the birds start gobbling them up. Mockingbirds, Grossbeaks, Robins, Jays, Towhees
and others love the fruits. If you want
some for your family’s use you’ll need to be vigilant. We’ll feature some interesting currant
recipes later in the year.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): fruiting plant |
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum):fruits |
Golden
currant is tolerant of a range of environmental conditions, making it a good
candidate for gardens. It is hardy to USDA Zone 3 and tolerates even the warmth
of Southern California. Plants tolerate full sun only in cooler climates. In most gardens, morning or dappled sun is
ideal, although this plant will thrive even in bright shade on the north side
of walls or buildings.
In
general, native currants and gooseberries like well-drained soils. That being said, many of us successfully grow
Golden currant in quite heavy clay soils.
The trick is in the watering, and Ribes
aureum var. gracillimum is among
the most tolerant of the native Ribes.
It also tolerates a wide range of
soil pH, from slightly acid to alkali.
In a dry winter/spring you’ll be wise to water your Ribes deeply, as currants need their winter moisture. Golden currant even tolerates winter flooding. Choose a cool, overcast day and water early or late. In late spring and summer, mature Ribes aureum var. gracillimum can survive on very little water. We find they look best if given an occasional soaking – perhaps once a month or several times during the summer. If the leaves are becoming red-tinged or drooping, it’s probably time to water. Be sure to let the soil dry out between waterings; and overhead watering should be avoided.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): water-wise once established |
Like
most Ribes, native or not, Golden currant
is susceptible to fungal infections, particularly under warm, moist conditions. Plants are an alternate host for white pine
blister rust (Cronartium ribicola)
which infects white pines (those with needles in bundles of five). You can do
several things to prevent fungal infections: 1) locate plants in areas with
good air circulation; 2) don’t over-water, particularly during warm weather; 3)
don’t plant near white pines.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum):well-shaped plant |
Golden
currant is most productive – and looks its best – when pruned as the Native peoples
learned to prune it. Native Americans
value native currants as a tasty treat; so in the past, clumps of Ribes aureum were actively managed. Three-year-old branches are usually past
their productive life - pruning out the oldest stems each year will keep your
plants neat, healthy and productive.
Start pruning after the second year of growth. Prune out the oldest 1/3 of the branches
(down almost to the ground); then prune out the oldest 1/3 of branches when
plants are dormant each fall thereafter.
It is usually easy to tell the oldest stems, even when they are dormant.
Golden
current is often used as a shrub in local gardens. It can be informally espaliered along a wall
or fence. It can even be used for an
informal hedge or hedgerow (perhaps with suitable evergreen species). It doesn’t need much care, so it’s a good
choice for hard-to-reach slopes (roots hold the soil) and other ‘challenging’
areas.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): does well along walls and fences |
As
mentioned above, Golden currant berries are edible, raw or cooked. They can be used to make pies, tarts, jams,
jellies, syrups and cordials. The flavor
is very good. If planting a native
currant for fruit, this is the species to choose. Native Californians used the inner bark, dried
and pulverized or soaked in water, to treat skin infections and sores.
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| Golden Currant (Ribes aureum): fruits make good eating! |
In summary, Golden currant is a great native shrub that provides bright color early in the year, attracts hummingbirds, native pollinators and fruit-eating birds – and provides edible berries. We hope you’ll consider planting it in your own backyard.
For a gardening information sheet see:http://www.slideshare.net/cvadheim/gardening-sheet-ribes-aureum
For more pictures of this plant see:
For plant
information sheets on other native plants see: http://nativeplantscsudh.blogspot.com/p/gallery-of-native-plants_17.html
We welcome your comments (below). You can also send your questions to: monaturesmontrosegarden@gmail.com
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