Known by the common names Golden Currant, Buffalo Currant, Clove Currant and Missouri Currant, it is a species of small to medium-sized deciduous shrubs 6-10 feet tall. It blooms in spring with golden yellow flowers, often with a pronounced fragrance similar to that of cloves or vanilla. The flowers attract hummingbirds and monarch butterflies. Leaves are green, shaped similarly to gooseberry leaves, turning red in autumn. The plant is deciduous from late December to early February. The shrub produces berries about half an inch in diameter from an early age. Ripe fruits, amber yellow to black in color, are edible, and attract a wide range of birds. Ribes aureum var aureum grows in high mountains where winter temperatures dip below zero degrees F, and tends to have an upright form.

The Golden currant grows best in areas with somewhat more ground water, such as the bottom of slopes, near creeks or canyon bottoms, or near irrigated areas. On the coast, it prefers full sun. Inland, it prefers part shade and does best when surrounded by mulch. It grows well under oak trees and in mixed chaparral. When it's thriving, it self-seeds and spreads out from the original plant and can serve as a groundcover.

Very easy to grow, and needs no special care once established.

Pickup of plant purchases will be arranged on scheduled dates.