Ribes viburnifolium

Sunset

Ribes sanguineum

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Zones 5, 7-9, 14-17, 19-24

Full, Partial

Moderate, Minimal

Catalina Perfume, Evergreen Currant

Evergreen, Shrubs, Decorative fruit or berries, Flowers

RIBES

Those without spines are called currants; those with spines are known as gooseberries. The following species are grown ornamentally. Members of this genus are alternate hosts to white pine blister rust and are still banned in a few areas where white pines grow.

Ribes viburnifolium

Nativeto Catalina Island, Baja California.To 3–6 ft. tall, spreading to12 ft. wide. Wine red stems arearching or half trailing; they mayroot in moist soil. Roundish,leathery dark green leaves arefragrant after rain or whencrushed (some liken the scentto pine, others to apples). Lightpink to purplish flowers frommidwinter into spring. Red berries.To keep plant low, cut outupright-growing stems. Needspartial shade in hottest climates.Needs no irrigation butcan take moderate water. Goodon banks or under native oakswhere watering is undesirable.