The currant, a fruiting vine in the genus Ribes, is often mistaken for its prickly relative, the gooseberry. However, unlike gooseberries, currants do not have spines and are generally easier to handle. Currants are usually deciduous and known for their delicate, fragrant flowers that come in shades of pink, red, and yellow.
Golden currant (Ribes aureum), also called buffalo currant or Missouri currant, can reach heights of six to ten feet. It produces yellow flowers during winter and spring with a light spicy fragrance that attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. The plant bears small amber or black fruits that serve as food for both birds and humans.
Chaparral currant (Ribes malvaceum) is native to California and grows to five feet or more. It features sweet-smelling pink flower clusters that often bloom in mid-winter, providing an early nectar source for hummingbirds. After flowering, purple berries appear on the plant. Adding a leaf from this species to tea can enhance its flavor. Chaparral currant thrives on slopes with good drainage and prefers some afternoon shade; it may go dormant during hot periods but typically recovers after spring watering.
Both golden currant and chaparral currant are drought-tolerant with moderate to fast growth rates. They grow particularly well under oak canopies.
