Golden Currant

Growing

This hardy, woody shrub is a powerhouse for stabilizing soil and can thrive in even the harshest, most disturbed landscapes. Because it possesses a dense, well-branched root system, it establishes itself with high success rates when planted as a transplant. If you are looking to expand your patch, you can also propagate the plant using hardwood or softwood cuttings.

When managing your shrub, keep in mind that it is quite resilient to heavy pruning and can tolerate shearing to maintain a specific shape or size. However, you should watch closely for western tent caterpillars, which can cause significant defoliation. You should also monitor for bacterial spot, which manifests as necrotic spots on the leaves and can lead to severe leaf loss.

The fruit undergoes a beautiful color transformation as it matures, transitioning from green to yellow, then red, and finally reaching a dark purple or black hue. While the plant is a wonderful food source for songbirds and small mammals, you can enjoy the sweet, fragrant berries yourself once they reach that final dark stage.