Carried by 57 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Catalina currant (Ribes viburnifolium) is an evergreen shrub with handsome, aromatic, dark green leaves. Small clusters of rose pink flowers bloom in late winter to mid spring, followed by small red fruits later in the spring. This moderate to fast-growing shrub has an open wide-spreading form, growing 3 to 4 feet tall and spreading to 6 feet wide. It may be pruned to restrain its sprawling tendencies
It will grow in part shade to shade, is adaptable to various soil types and takes occasional to moderate water. It is a good choice for planting underneath an oak canopy, growing low to the ground and extending long reddish stems horizontally where the tips may root and establish new growth centers. The plant yields small red fruits later in the spring that attract birds. Catalina currant hosts a large number of butterflies and moths. Hummingbirds and insects are attracted to the flowers.
Shrub
2 - 3 ft Tall
8 ft Wide
Spreading, Weeping
Moderate, Fast
Evergreen
Pleasant
Red, Purple, Pink
Spring, Winter
Bank stabilization, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative
Partial Shade
Very Low
Max 1x / month once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to 15° F
Medium
Tolerates a variety of soils as long as adequate drainage is provided.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 7.0
May be pruned to restrain its sprawling tendencies
Propagates readily from tip rooting
5, 7, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 19*, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24
Dry shady areas such as under oaks or large chaparral shrubs
Chaparral
Santa Cruz Island Buckwheat (Eriogonum arborescens), St. Catherine's Lace (Eriogonum giganteum), Redflower Buckwheat (Eriogonum grande), Island Cherry, Island Hazardia and Island Bristleweed, Island Ironwood (Lyonothamnus floribundus)
Butterflies and moths supported
0 confirmed and 37 likely
Milbert's Tortoiseshell
Aglais milberti
Western Avocado Leafroller Moth
Amorbia cuneana
Polyphemus moth
Antheraea polyphemus
Fruit-Tree Leafroller Moth
Archips argyrospila