Overview
Ribes americanum is a deciduous shrub that grows 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) tall and wide, spreading by suckers into a multi-stemmed clump. Unlike many currants and gooseberries, the stems are thornless. In spring it bears drooping clusters of small, tubular, yellowish-white to greenish flowers, followed by smooth black berries about 0.25-0.4 inch (6-10 mm) across that ripen in summer. The maple-like leaves have three to five lobes and turn red to purple in fall, releasing a resinous scent when crushed. The shrub is native to moist woods, streambanks, swamp edges, and wet meadows across northern and central North America. It grows in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile soil and tolerates seasonal flooding. The berries are edible and eaten by birds and mammals. R. americanum is an alternate host for white pine blister rust, a disease of five-needle pines, and its planting is restricted in some regions near pine forests. Fall color and edible fruit are its main seasonal features. Hardy in USDA zones 2-7.
Native Range
Ribes americanum is native to northern and central North America, from the Canadian provinces south through the Great Plains and Midwest to Virginia and New Mexico. It grows in moist woods, swamp margins, streambanks, and wet meadows.Suggested Uses
Used in edible landscapes, wildlife plantings, rain gardens, and naturalized borders on moist ground. Suited to streambanks and wet meadow edges for erosion control. Spaced 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 m) apart in informal hedges or thickets.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 5'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Blooms in spring, April to May, as the leaves expand, for about 2-3 weeks. The drooping flower clusters give way to green berries that blacken as they ripen through summer. Bloom is earlier in the southern part of the range.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Yellowish-white to greenFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun to part shade in moist, fertile, well-drained soil; the shrub also tolerates clay and seasonal wetness. Water during dry spells, as it grows poorly in prolonged drought. Mulch keeps the shallow roots cool and moist. Prune out the oldest stems in late winter to renew the clump and keep fruit production steady. The species hosts white pine blister rust, so its planting is regulated near commercial or native five-needle pines. It spreads by suckers, which can be removed to limit its spread.Pruning
Prune in late winter while dormant, removing the oldest stems at the base to make room for younger wood. Thin crowded stems to improve airflow and fruiting. Cut out dead or damaged branches at any time.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter