Wax Currant

Scientific name

Ribes cereum

Description

wax Currant is a deciduous shrub species that typically grows between 1 and 2 m in height. This plant was previously known by the unused common name Squaw Current. The leaves are small, fan shaped, grayish green colored, waxy and shiny, hairy, have 3-5 shallow lobes, and have round toothed margins. The flowers are pink to white colored, tubular, covered in sticky hairs, appear in dense drooping clusters, and bloom between April and June. The fruits are bright red berries that ripen between August and September. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, including bees and butterflies. The fruit and habitat this shrub provide are beneficial to wildlife species, such as birds and small mammals. The roots are good for controlling erosion and stabilizing shorelines.

Planting conditions

Wax Currant grows best in dry to moist conditions with full sun exposure. It prefers well-drained, sand, loam, clay, or rocky soil types. It is tolerant of steep slopes, disturbed soil, nutrient poor soil, and shallow soil. It can tolerate drought and dry soil but young plants should be watered occasionally during hot summers. It is intolerant of shade. This shrub can be naturally found in dry open forests, along forest edges, and on rocky slopes.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Drought Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Eco Zone:
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 1-2 m
• Spread:
  • 2 m