Early Bloomers Support Pollinators
The really early blooming season of the manzanitas is coming to a close just as the currants are starting to bloom. Tiny, first-generation bumblebees (Bombus melanopgus) are still gathering nectar and pollen from the manzanita blooms just as many other resources are becoming available.
A Cornucopia of Berry-Producing Plants
California has an abundant cornucopia of berry-producing plants; one of the first to bloom early in the year are the currants. They provide nectar and pollen for various pollinators, including hummingbirds, and are also beautiful specimens for a habitat garden. Berries are fully ripened by late summer and are relished by birds and small mammals.
Pink-Flowering Currant: A Hummingbird Favorite
The lovely pink flowers of Pink-flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum var. glutinosum) are abundant in gracefully hanging racemes which attract the attention of the hummingbirds and other pollinators. The flowers are fragrant, as are the leaves. For garden culture, named varieties offer flowers in white (Inverness White or Cal-Flora White), darker pink (Claremont), or red (King Edward VII).
Growing Conditions for Ribes sanguineum
Currants are adapted to various plant communities; Ribes sanguineum grows in mixed woodlands and riparian zones here in Marin, and when I’m hiking the trails in our wildlands, I can often smell the plants before I can actually see them!
Other Types of Currants
Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaecum)
Chaparral Currant prefers full sun and poor soils, making it an excellent choice for dry, sun-drenched areas in gardens or natural landscapes.
Golden Currant (Ribes aureum)
Golden Currant grows and spreads from the roots in part shade or full sun. It is a lovely plant with delicate small leaves. Yellow flowers are held in panicles, and golden-red fruits follow, but rarely in large quantities. The deer will browse these plants because they are not as fragrant as their relatives. In my garden, I surround the Golden Currants with Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea), which has both very fragrant and sticky leaves that the deer detest!
Growth and Care Tips for Currants
The currants are woody shrubs that can grow to be quite large—up to about 9 feet tall, and sometimes as wide! Most are only partially deciduous; the flowers open before many of the soft leaves unfurl themselves. They are easy to prune to shape or size and can be successfully espaliered on a trellis or against a fence.
In a garden setting, they need average water and prefer some afternoon shade in hotter inland areas. Once established, these plants do fine with nothing but rainwater. Deer will sometimes browse the plant, but since both flowers and foliage are fragrant, it is not a favorite browse.
The Berries and Their Uses
Berries hang in clusters and are fully ripe when they become a dark purplish color. They are mealy, and unlike European Currants, they are not very sweet or tasty. We grow these plants from seeds and cuttings. In order to get the seeds, I soak crushed berries in water. Surprisingly, this water does have a nice taste and with added sweetener makes a nice jelly!
Traditional Uses by Native Peoples
The Native Peoples harvested the fruits, eating them raw or drying them. They also dried meats and fish. Pounding the fruits and meat together, they created pemmican—the first ‘Power Bars’; high-energy food which provided easy sustenance for the long walks family groups would make from one seasonal food source to another!
Visit Home Ground Habitats for Native Currants
If you’re inspired by the beauty and benefits of California’s native currants, come visit Home Ground Habitats native plant nursery and butterfly sanctuary in Novato! We have full-grown currants flourishing in our gardens, and often have organically grown native currants available for sale. Stop by on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays between 1–4 pm to explore our demonstration gardens and learn more about how you can bring these wonderful plants into your own garden.
For a deeper dive into California’s Native Cornucopia, check out our guide to choosing natives to plant in order to have resources available for birds at all times of the year https://www.homegroundhabitats.org/charlotte_article/californias-native-cornucopia-plentiful-food-birds/