Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Also listed as Chrysobotrya aurea, Siphocalyx aureus
Also known as Buffalo Currant
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous native shrub prized for its sweet-tart amber to black berries, great fresh or in jam and pie. Drought tolerant, with clove-scented yellow flowers in early spring.
Why grow it
Golden currant offers fragrant spring flowers and edible berries in a deciduous shrub that requires minimal water once established, making it well-suited to dry-climate gardens where many ornamental currants struggle. Compared to other native Ribes species, it tolerates hotter, drier sites while still attracting pollinators and birds. The combination of showy flowers and persistent fruit extends seasonal interest beyond many similar shrubs.
Watch out for
Golden currant prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil; it may produce fewer flowers in deep shade. While drought-tolerant once established, young plants benefit from regular watering during their first growing season to develop a strong root system. The plant can self-seed readily in favorable conditions, so deadheading spent flowers may be necessary if volunteer seedlings become unwanted.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Grossulariaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
The species type is most commonly grown and valued for its fragrant flowers and fruit production; no major named cultivars are widely recognized in horticulture.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A deciduous native shrub prized for its sweet-tart amber to black berries, great fresh or in jam and pie. Drought tolerant, with clove-scented yellow flowers in early spring.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Golden Currant grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Golden currant offers fragrant spring flowers and edible berries in a deciduous shrub that requires minimal water once established, making it well-suited to dry-climate gardens where many ornamental currants struggle. Compared to other native Ribes species, it tolerates hotter, drier sites while still attracting pollinators and birds. The combination of showy flowers and persistent fruit extends seasonal interest beyond many similar shrubs.
Watch out for
Golden currant prefers full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil; it may produce fewer flowers in deep shade. While drought-tolerant once established, young plants benefit from regular watering during their first growing season to develop a strong root system. The plant can self-seed readily in favorable conditions, so deadheading spent flowers may be necessary if volunteer seedlings become unwanted.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Grossulariaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
The species type is most commonly grown and valued for its fragrant flowers and fruit production; no major named cultivars are widely recognized in horticulture.