wax currant
Ribes cereum
USDA zones3 to 8
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size3 to 5 feet tall3 to 5 feet wide
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn
- Bloom color
- Pink
- Foliage color
- Dark green.
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Wax currant (Ribes cereum) is a shrub for low maintenance borders, food gardens, and woodland edges. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to moist soil of most types. Pink and white bell shaped flowers hang in drooping clusters and give way to bright red berries that taste tart. Birds and hummingbirds visit it, and the berries suit jams, jellies, and juices.
Pairs well with Fragrant sumac, White meadowsweet, and Western sword fern.
Native range
AZ, CA, CO, ID, and 11 more places. See all 15
AZ, CA, CO, ID, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, UT, WA, and WY; BC.