Golden currant
Ribes aureum
Golden currant (Ribes aureum) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 5–8 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fragrant yellow flowers in early spring; edible currants in summer; red fall color. Triple-duty native.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water5–8 ft tall and 5–8 ft wideXeric / water-wise
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Ribes aureum
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 5–8 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 ft apart (6 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Bloom length
- 2–3 weeks
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Fall color
- Red, orange, yellow
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom time
- early spring, mid spring
- Pollinator value
- high
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, riparian
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. Tolerates clay and a wide pH range, easy native.
- Fruit: edible.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Golden currant good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Golden currant is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Golden currant get?
- It matures to about 5–8 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Golden currant?
- Space Golden currant about 8 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 6 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Golden currant hardy on the Front Range?
- Golden currant is hardy in USDA 2–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Golden currant need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Golden currant grow?
- Golden currant is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Golden currant turn in fall?
- Golden currant turns red, orange, and yellow in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Golden currant native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Golden currant deer-resistant?
- No. Golden currant is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Golden currant a good firewise plant near the house?
- Golden currant is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does Golden currant bloom?
- Golden currant blooms for about two to three weeks on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
