Ribes aureum 'Golden Currant'

Grossulariaceae: a small to medium-sized deciduous shrub, 2–3m. Found by streams, in ravines and on mountain slopes. The plant blooms in spring with racemes of conspicuous golden yellow flowers, often with a pronounced, spicy fragrance like that of cloves or vanilla. The shrub produces berries about 1cm in diameter. Ripe fruits, amber yellow to black, are edible raw. The leaves are green, with 3 or 5 lobes, turning red in autumn. Native to Canada, most of the United States (except the southeast) and northern Mexico.

USES:

Golden currant is also planted for the edible berries. Although flowers are hermaphroditic, the yield is greatly benefited by cross-pollination. The berries can be eaten raw, but are very tart, and are usually cooked with sugar. The flowers are also edible.

The berries were used for food, and other plant parts for medicine, by various Native American groups across its range in North America.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow in Autumn or give cold. Under normal storage conditions the seed can remain viable for 17 years or more. Easily grown in a moisture retentive but well-drained loamy soil of at least moderate quality. Succeeds in full sun but is also quite tolerant of shade though not fruiting so well in such a position. Grows well on exposed dry sites.

A very ornamental plant.

HARVESTED: 2020

 

APPROX. 50+ SEEDS