Ribes cereum – Wax Currant – Grossulariaceae (The Gooseberry Family)

Description Ribes cereum, often called wax currant, is a BC and Alberta native thornless, deciduous shrub. In mid spring to mid summer, drooping clusters of pink and white, bell shaped flowers emerge giving way to bright red berries that are edible but quite tart. Young branches are hairy and very glandular turning gray and woody with age. Light green foliage is numerous, small, fan shaped and waxy with shallow lobes and blunt toothed margins that take on yellow fall colour. This is a non-rhizomatous shrub growing in a spreading or upright rounded shape 3-5 feet tall and wide. Appreciates full sun in dry to moist, well-drained soils. Does not tolerate shade. All currants are rich in antioxidants and have a much higher vitamin C content than oranges. Can be used for jams, jellies, and juices. They are easy-to-grow and are self-fertile. Use as a shrub border, informal hedge or accent plant due to its beautiful flowers, attractive foliage and bright red berries. Attracts hummingbirds, other birds and pollinators.