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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Grossulariaceae (Gooseberries or Currants) |
| Origin: Baja California (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Rose Pink |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Height: 3-4 feet |
| Width: 4-6 feet |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 10-15° F |
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Ribes viburnifolium (Catalina Currant) - A typically open wide spreading evergreen shrub that grows 3-4 feet tall (a bit taller with support) and spreads to 6 feet. It has thin dark red stems bearing ovate 1 inch wide aromatic leathery dark green leaves on stems arching up and out from the center of the plant. The small rose pink star-shaped flowers held in open cluster appear in late winter to mid spring. Plant in sun (with irrigation) or light shade along coast to shade inland. It is quite tolerant of clay soil and requires little or no supplemental water in summer months, making it a great native shrub candidate for planting underneath an oak canopy. We have several such stands on our nursery that we never irrigate and they continue to look stunning, even after the 5 years of drought from 2011-16. This plant is reliably root hardy to around 10° F (some note even a bit lower). Catalina Currant is a great ornamental shrub for the garden either left to grow open and loose or tipped back to make a more dense plant. Its edible berries are attractive to birds, though its foliage is noted as not being particularly attractive to deer. Trim back the tips to promote a bushier plant or leave loose. Catalina Currant is native to Santa Catalina Island and extreme coastal southern California into Baja California, where it can be found growing in full to part shade. It is considered to be a rare and endangered plant in the wild. Other common names include Viburnumleaf Currant, Catalina Perfume and Evergreen Currant. We also grow a form with denser growth and broader leaves that comes from the mainland near the US and Mexico border - we call this form Ribes viburnifolium 'Spooner's Mesa'.
Information displayed on this page about Ribes viburnifolium is based on the research conducted about it in our library and from reliable online resources. We also note those observations we have made of this plant as it grows in the nursery's garden and in other gardens, as well how crops have performed in our nursery field. We will incorporate comments we receive from others, and welcome to hear from anyone who may have additional information, particularly if they share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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