Golden currant
Ribes aureum · Grossulariaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around golden currant and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (March-April), highly fragrant golden yellow flowers
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m tall × 1.5 to 2 m wide
- Growth
- Moderate to fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -25°C
- Origin
- Western and central United States
- Soil type
- Well-drained, tolerant, handles limestone and acidity
Care
Sunlight
Plant your currant in full sun or partial shade for optimal flowering. It tolerates light shade but will flower less abundantly. Avoid overly windy locations that could damage young shoots.
Watering
Water regularly for the first two years to establish a strong root system. Once established, the currant is very drought-tolerant. Increase watering slightly during heat waves to maintain generous flowering.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune after flowering (April-May) to maintain a balanced shape and open up the center of the shrub. Remove dead or poorly oriented branches. Light pruning is sufficient since this species flowers on the previous year's wood.
Soil and planting
The currant adapts to most well-drained soils. Enrich the planting hole with mature compost. Plant in autumn or early spring, spacing 1.5 to 2 m from other shrubs.
Fertilizer and fertilization
Apply a moderate dose of balanced fertilizer in spring, just before budbreak. Annual organic mulch at the base will suffice for less fertile soils. Avoid excess fertilizer which would favor foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
The species is generally very healthy and rarely affected by common pests. Watch for powdery mildew in case of stagnant humidity. Good air circulation and watering at the base limit these problems.
Did you know?
Ribes aureum was highly prized by indigenous peoples of the American West for its sweet berries and golden floral honey. European explorers who discovered this plant in the nineteenth century were seduced by the beauty and intoxicating fragrance of its golden yellow flowers, and introduced it to Europe where it thrives remarkably well.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- RedcurrantRibes rubrum
- BlackcurrantRibes nigrum
- Flowering currantRibes sanguineum
- European gooseberryRibes uva-crispa
- Alpine currantRibes alpinum
- Wax currantRibes cereum
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.