Ribes cereum

Also Known As

Ribes cereum var. cereum
Squaw Currant
Wax Currant

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 4'-6'
W: 5'-8'

planting zones

3a-10b

More Options

Ribes cereum plant details

Ribes cereum is a broadleaf deciduous shrub with green foliage. In spring and winter cream and pink flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, birds and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ribes cereum

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: grossulariaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 5 FT - 8 FT - wide, 4 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: cream and pink blooms in spring and winter
Uses: easy-to-grow, edible, fall color

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ribes cereum

USDA Zones: 3a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: heat
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

A fantastic shrub for wildlife gardening, this 3-5' thornless shrub has dense branching and an attractive spreading form, the young branches are hairy before maturing to become gray and woody, small fan-shaped waxy leaves have superficial lobes, handsome drooping clusters of pink or white flowers in summer become bright red berries, not very tasty to us, but much loved by birds and other animals; clear yellow fall color; found in the western United States in rocky slopes, ravines and woodland thickets; not tolerant of shade. S/M-D

By: Forestfarm

Long lived, drought tolerant & ornamental with an abundance of red berries in Summer & Fall, “Squaw Currant” grows quickly to a densely mounding 3-5’ tall & wide. Native to much of the Western US including California, it’s a good low-care choice for almost any situation but especially useful for “wilder” areas, hillsides & habitat gardens as birds really love the conspicuous berries (edible but not tasty to us). Attractive, tidy, mid-green scalloped foliage. Charming small trumpet shaped pinkish flowers, held in clusters appear in Spring. Provide decently draining soil – not straight clay & water until established. Some Summer water is not a bad thing.