Ribes viburnifolium 'Spooner's Mesa'

Also Known As

San Diego Evergreen Currant
Spooner's Mesa Catalina Currant
Spooner's Mesa Evergreen Currant

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 2'-4'
W: 6'

planting zones

8a-10b

More Options

Ribes viburnifolium 'Spooner's Mesa' plant details

Ribes viburnifolium 'Spooner's Mesa' is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring pink flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, birds and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with mostly sun - shade and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ribes viburnifolium 'Spooner's Mesa'

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: grossulariaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 6 FT wide, 2 FT - 4 FT - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in spring
Uses: fragrant, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ribes viburnifolium 'Spooner's Mesa'

USDA Zones: 8a - 10b
Sun exposure: mostly sun - shade
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Another gorgeous form of evergreen currant, this growing to 3-4' tall and spreading to 6', making a good ground cover, with aromatic leaves on dark red stems. Flowers are pink is late winter to mid spring. Sun on the coast to shade in hotter climates with little supplemental summer water once established. Well-drained soil, of course. Frost hardy to 15 °F, mid USDA zone 8.

By: Cistus Nursery

Although this low shrub or groundcover native to southern California really looks nothing like the flowering currants we are familiar with in the Northwest, it has numerous virtues. Another subject for year-round foliage interest, its somewhat glossy, rounded, evergreen leaves appear on reddish-tinged stems. In spring curious burgundy flowers are displayed above the stems: these are very attractive when viewed up close but too subtle to make the plant appear showy in bloom from a distance. As would be expected, it's completely drought tolerant west of the Cascades and makes a great groundcover or bank cover. Below about 12 °F it freezes to the ground, but if it is well mulched, it returns very strongly from the roots. 'Spooner's Mesa' larger leaves than usual for the species.