Catching the California Currant

Golden Currant (Ribes aureum) with Anna’s Hummingbird

Photo courtesy of laspilitas.com

It is the Autumn season, and our thoughts turn to the harvest, putting the bounty of food on the table and being thankful for all we have. Yet, I find myself wondering among all this food: where are the native, wild, edible foods of California? It’s time for baking fruit and berry pies. Why not use native California berries? 

Turns out I need look no further than the Ribes family to find a family of wild, edible berry bushes that are native to California. Ribes berries are not only edible, but downright tasty. There are many Ribes species covering the state’s different types of climates and ecosystems, including Currants and Gooseberries. So, no matter where in California you garden, there should be a native species right for you. Ribes can be found throughout most of California.

If you are like me and are planning to grow more berry bushes in your California garden, this is a good time to get started. Autumn is a glorious time of year for gardening: temperatures begin to cool, days are shorter, and rains can begin to soften up the soil. 

Are you starting a wildlife garden? The birds in your garden will find Ribes tasty, too. Some of the birds that enjoy Ribes berries include: California Thrasher, Hermit Thrush, and the American Robin. When you plant Ribes, you welcome the birds to your garden. 

Golden Currant Berries, Ribes Aurem gracillimum, 

Photo Courtesy of Laspilitas.com

Golden Currants, Ribes aureum gracillimum:

Golden Currants make a tidy bush without thorns. A low-growing thicket about 6 ft wide and 3-6ft tall with three-lobed leaves, Ribes aureum has lots of sweet-smelling yellow tubular flowers that are popular with Hummingbirds. Golden Currant berries start out yellow and turn red as they ripen. 

Golden Currants are native to Southern Oak Woodland, Chaparral and Soft Scrub ecosystems, and grow along the coast ranges. In the canyons of Malibu they can cover entire canyon bottoms with their soft yellow color. It is also a good ground cover in tough conditions, such as under oak trees.

Berry-eating birds, like the California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum), love the Golden Currant berries in late spring. Beautiful, as well as functional, Golden Currants provide a superior bird habitat. It is an excellent choice if you want to attract the California Thrasher to your wildlife garden.

The California Thrasher is a welcome friend in California all winter long. A non-migratory bird, California gardeners commonly see the Thrasher pecking around in leaf litter for insects with its long, curved beak. In December, the Thrasher can be found enjoying Toyon's bright red Christmas berries in the Chaparral.

Planting Currants will also bring hummingbirds into your garden in spring. Hummingbirds, bees and butterflies are all attracted to the blooms. Even Monarchs love the early spring flowers.  The Golden Currant is a forage source for many butterflies: the Tailed Copper Butterfly, Cloudy Copper, Zephyr Anglewing, and Oreas Anglewing.

Canyon Gooseberries (Ribes menziesii) Photo Courtesy of laspilitas.com

Canyon Gooseberry, Ribes menziesii:

Canyon gooseberry is a drought-tolerant shrub with maroon-purple and white flowers. This species has many forms that are native to the coast ranges of California up to Southern Oregon. This species is deciduous in summer; it will lose its leaves under heat or drought stress. If you water it in the summer, it will die of root rot, but you can water indirectly by planting it 10ft away from a lawn or garden flower bed. Ribes menziesii is great for a bird garden. Do not plant near walkways, as it likes to “catch” passersby.

White Flowering Chaparral Currant (Ribes indecorum)

Photo courtesy of www.laspilitas.com

White-flowered-currant, Ribes indecorum:

Extremely drought tolerant, the White-flowered Currant grows in Chaparral and Coastal sage scrub ecosystems throughout California, from Monterey to San Diego County. The White-flowered Currant can grow to 6ft tall. It is commonly found growing in the shade of large oaks, along seasonal creeks and on north or east slopes. It can survive a harsh (hot & dry) summer environment by going summer deciduous.  After the first rain, it comes out of dormancy. 

In February, the White-flowered currant will bloom white fragrant flowers, which are beloved by hummingbirds, bumblebees, moths and specific native bees. It is great in a bird garden, adjusts well to garden environments, and has tasty fruit.

The list of Ribes family members goes on and on, each providing edible wild berries for humans and birds alike, and acting as a magnet for bees & butterflies in the spring. You may not be used to gardening in late Autumn, but if you are ready to put on your gloves and do some digging in the wildlife garden, you couldn’t make a better choice than Ribes. 

This year, when you stop to be thankful for the harvest laid out upon your table, why not give your California garden a place at the table, too? The birds and the butterflies will thank you, over & over again~