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More information »	Rhus ovata (sugar bush) Handsome evergreen shrub native to dry slopes away from the coast in Southern California, Baja, and Arizona. A durable shrub thriving in hot, rocky conditions in full sun to part shade where it will be completely drought tolerant once established. Grows 4 - 10 ft. tall and wide. A profusion of dense flower clusters are rosy tinted in bud opening to white with a pinkish blush. Small reddish fruits follow that are coated with a sugary secretion that tastes lemony. Excellent subject for hot, dry inland conditions. Good for birds, bees and butterflies. Fire resistant. Deer resistant.
More information »	Ribes aureum (golden currant) Tall, spreading, deciduous shrub 6 to 8 ft. tall and wide. Offers light green foliage with delicate clusters of bright yellow flowers in early spring. Adaptable to sun or shade, but best with light shade and moderate to occasional summer water. Tends to spread from suckers and can be controlled with pruning. Berries attract many birds including grosbeak and mockingbirds.
More information »	Ribes bracteosum (blue currant) Native from Mendocino County northwards, this deciduous shrub is distinctive for its long, upright inflorescences and large, shiny leaves up to eight inches wide. As many as fifty of the soft orange, saucer-shaped flowers can occur on a single stem in the spring followed by small blue fruits in late summer. In shaded, moist conditions the blue currant can reach a height and width of about six feet but can get larger in cool, wet areas along the coast. Combine with other plants of the redwood forest such as ferns, sorrel and wild ginger.
More information »	Ribes californicum (California gooseberry, hillside gooseberry) Undemanding, winter blooming, deciduous shrub, native to Coast Range mountains of California, from Mendocino County south to Orange County. Excellent choice for habitat gardens, where it provides abundant flowers and fruits plus thorny, protective cover. Variable in size, this spiny shrub can grow 4 - 6 ft. tall and wide. The pendant flowers are tiny but numerous and charming on close inspection. The tubular flower parts are white and extend beyond the reflexed red sepals, and are highly attractive to hummingbirds and other pollinators. Red, bristly, globular fruits follow and are adored by birds. The bright green leaves often take on striking crimson colors in the late summer before going dormant with drought. Host plant to several butterfly species as well as the white-lined sphinx moth. Best with light shade and a little irrigation, though once established it is completely drought tolerant.
More information »	Ribes cereum (wax currant) Description coming soon!
More information »	Ribes divaricatum var. pubiflorum (spreading gooseberry) Native to coastal scrub, moist woods and shady canyons of the Pacific coast from British Columbia south through much of coastal California. This gooseberry is perhaps the most tasty of all of our native Ribes. The berries have the added benefit of being free of thorns. Forms an arching shrub 3-5 ft. tall and wide with thorns at the leaf nodes. The tiny flowers are composed of reddish sepals and white petals that dangle beneath the branches and are attractive to hummingbirds. The small, blue-black berries are relished by birds. Plant in light shade with some summer moisture. Will tolerate full sun near the coast. Useful as a barrier, hedgerow or habitat plant where it provides excellent food and thorny cover for birds.
More information »	Ribes indecorum (white flowered currant) Native to Southern California chaparral and coastal scrub plant communities from Santa Barbara County to Northern Baja. This vase shaped deciduous shrub features thick, aromatic, scalloped leaves and grows 6 feet or so tall and wide. Small clusters of white flowers cover the stems in November and attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies. The fruits that follow are very appealing to birds. Plant in sun to light shade. Little to no summer water is required once established. While this currant is often summer deciduous, a little extra water will help it to retain most of its leaves all year long.
More information »	Ribes indecorum (white flowering currant) Description coming soon!
More information »	Ribes malvaceum (chaparral currant) Chaparral currant is a tough and durable native shrub 4 to 6 ft. tall. This deciduous shrub will grow in full sun to light shade and is quite drought tolerant. Flowers early, often midwinter with dangling clusters of pink blossoms. Good early nectar source for hummingbirds. Berries attract many birds including grosbeak and mockingbirds.
More information »	Ribes malvaceum 'Cupertino Rose' (chaparral currant) Chaparral currant's flowers can range from white to pink to nearly red in color. This selection carries flower clusters that were the darkest to be found in this population from the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mts. west of Cupertino. The buds are dark pink and the dangling racemes when fully open read medium pink. Deciduous shrub 4-6 ft tall and wide with a very early bloom season often beginning in November, which provides an excellent early source of nectar for hummingbirds. The pendulous clusters of berries that follow are relished by birds. Tolerates full sun along the coast with some shade inland and occasional to little summer water.
More information »	Ribes malvaceum 'Dancing Tassels' (chaparral currant) A dazzling selection by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden from San Clemente Island. Blooming in winter over a long period with the longest dangling flower clusters we’ve seen in the species. Pendulous flower clusters are dusty pink in bud, opening to white and soft pink when fully open. Growing 6 ft. or more tall, this deciduous, vase shaped shrub has gray-green foliage with a pungent resinous fragrance. Peeling red-brown bark and clusters of blue-black berries add to its beauty and appeal. Chaparral currant blooms earlier and is more sun and drought tolerant than the popular pink flowering currant, Ribes sanguineum glutinosum. Plant in full sun to light shade with little to no water once established. An outstanding early nectar source for hummingbirds.
More information »	Ribes malvaceum 'Rana White' (white chaparral currant) This unusual form of the chaparral currant has pure white flowers, not the typical pink flowers one normally sees. Forming an erect shrub of true green, aromatic foliage 6 ft. or more tall and wider. Winter and early spring bring short pendant racemes of the fragrant white flowers that are highly attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators. Clusters of sticky berries follow and are relished by birds. Though it will tolerate garden conditions, this currant is extremely drought tolerant once established. When allowed to go dry, this well-adapted species drops its leaves in late summer and leafs out again in late autumn. Moderate irrigation can make it almost evergreen. Plant in full sun to light shade. This species can be found throughout much of California in chaparral and on the edges of woodlands. Introduced by Rana Nursery.
More information »	Ribes malvaceum var. viridifolium 'Ortega Beauty' (chaparral currant) Description coming soon!
More information »	Ribes menziesii (canyon gooseberry) A gooseberry of low elevation forests, growing to around 5-8 ft. tall with an open, arching habit. Bright green scalloped leaves with pale undersides are set on spiny stems. The charming flowers are small but sweet, with maroon sepals and white petals dangling beneath the thorny branches offering nectar to hummingbirds. The spiny red fruits that follow are decorative and attractive to birds. Often found on the edge or in openings of forests, the canyon gooseberry does best with light shade. It is drought tolerant especially near the coast, though it appreciates occasional summer water. An excellent habitat plant that provides shelter and food for a wide variety of birds.
More information »	Ribes nevadense (Sierra currant) Description coming soon!
More information »	Ribes odoratum 'Crandall' (clove-scented currant) Native to the Midwest and high plains this shrub looks similar to our native Ribes aureum. Growing 4 - 6 ft. tall and wide with light green, lobed leaves on spineless branches. Fragrant yellow flower clusters have a spicy carnation-like fragrance and are followed by abundant and flavorful black fruits. The rich, sweet-tart fruits are similar to the European black currant and can be used in jams and jellies. Eye-catching red leaves in the fall. Plant in full sun to partial shade with moderate to occasional summer water.
More information »	Ribes roezlii (Sierra gooseberry) The Sierra gooseberry's natural range is far beyond the Sierras, with varieties growing in the mountains of northern, southern and central California. Forms an arching shrub of thorny branches with pretty, little scalloped leaves, 2 - 4 ft. tall and wide. Pendant flowers are made up of burgundy-red sepals and small white to pink petals with protruding stamens, looking something like miniature fuchsias. Custom built for hummingbirds. In spring, showy, rounded fruits covered with prickles follow the flowers, starting out green and ripening to red, spiny globes which are relished by birds. This charming shrub is a lovely addition to the woodland garden where they receive light to moderate shade and are drought tolerant once established. Needs good drainage.
More information »	Ribes sanguineum v. glutinosum 'Cal Flora White' (white flowering currant) A Cal Flora Nursery original, a chance seedling in our nursery landscape. We watched this seedling develop into an elegant, eight foot, vase shaped shrub. The five inch pendulous racemes dangle from the branch tips and are pure white. Give flowering currants light or part shade except along the immediate coast where they grow in full sun. Moderate to occasional water once established. Hummingbird and bumblebee favorite. Birds enjoy the fruits.
More information »	Ribes sanguineum v. glutinosum 'Claremont' (pink flowering currant) Distinctive for its extra long, pendulous racemes of pink flowers with white centers. This Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden selection of the pink flowering currant is particularly vigorous, featuring abundant floral displays in early spring. Will attain a height and spread of 6 - 8 ft over time. Best with light shade and a little summer water. Important early nectar source for bumblebees and hummingbirds. Berries attract many birds including grosbeak and mockingbirds.
More information »	Ribes sanguineum v. glutinosum 'Heart's Delight' (pink flowering currant) A coastal Marin County selection of one of the West's choicest native shrubs. Deciduous, grows 6 ft. tall or more. In early spring it produces long drooping racemes of deep rosy-pink blossoms. Best with light shade inland, humusy soil and some summer water. Hummingbirds love the flowers and the berries attract many birds including robins, grosbeak and mockingbirds.
More information »	Ribes sanguineum v. glutinosum 'Inverness White' (white flowering currant) Selected by Roger Raiche on Inverness Ridge in Marin County. Distinguished from other white flowering cultivars in that the pure white blossoms develop a rosy cast as they fade. Deciduous shrub about 6 ft. tall by 6 ft. wide. Best with a little shade, woodsy soil and a little summer water. Berries attract many birds including grosbeak and mockingbirds.
More information »	Ribes sanguineum v. glutinosum 'Monte Bello' (pink flowering currant) This Cal Flora introduction was discovered in the hills west of Cupertino in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Long clusters of deep pink flowers make this selection of the pink-flowering currant stand out from other forms. In late winter and spring the flowers emerge on bare stems followed by rounded, maple-like leaves. This deciduous shrub has a vase-like shape, reaching a height of up to 10 ft. over time and a width of at least 6 ft. Provide full sun near the coast and light shade inland. Needs moderate to occasional irrigation once established. A great plant for hummingbirds and a wide array of pollinators. Birds enjoy the fruits.
More information »	Ribes sanguineum v. glutinosum 'Tranquillon Ridge' (pink flowering currant) A Native Sons Nursery selection from Tranquillon Ridge in Santa Barbara County, found growing under a canopy of Bishop pines. Super vigorous and very large, up to 10 ft. tall with extremely long racemes of dark pink flowers in the early spring. The racemes have an appealing shape, tapering to a point at the end of their long pendant flower clusters. Best with some shade even in coastal gardens where it’s drought tolerant. Occasional deep waterings are best in hot inland areas. Berries attract many birds including grosbeak and mockingbirds.
More information »	Ribes sanguineum v. sanguineum 'Barrie Coate' (red flowering currant) This selection of red flowering currant is a knock out in bloom. An early bloomer often starting in February with short racemes of nodding clusters of very deep rosy-pink, nearly red blossoms. Clusters of blue-black fruits follow and are enjoyed by birds. This deciduous shrub will grow 6 foot tall by 4 foot wide. Plant in sun to light shade with afternoon shade in hot regions and moderate to occasional summer water. An excellent early source of nectar for hummingbirds.
More information »	Ribes sanguineum v. sanguineum 'Brocklebankii' (golden-leaved red flowering currant) A distinctive shrub with gorgeous golden foliage on 5 ft. tall stems. Pendulous racemes of pink flowers in early spring just as the leaves are emerging are a favorite of hummingbirds. The leaves will scorch in the hot sun so part shade is best, especially during the hottest time of day. This cultivar prefers even moisture, recenting drought stress.