Ribes × gordonianum

Gordon's currant

Garden hybrid (R. sanguineum × R. odoratum; both N American parents; bicolored coppery-red/yellow; clove scent; 1830s cross; George Gordon)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Fragrant (light)

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–8

Overview

Ribes x gordonianum is a deciduous shrub reaching 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) tall with a spread of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) and an upright, arching, loosely branching habit. A hybrid between R. sanguineum (red flowering currant, W North America) and R. odoratum (clove currant, central North America), it produces pendant racemes 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) long of tubular flowers that are coppery-red to bronze-orange on the outside and yellow on the inside—a bicolored effect not found in either parent. The flowers appear in April-May. The lobed, maple-like leaves 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) wide are medium to dark green with a slight aromatic quality inherited from R. odoratum. Growth rate is moderate. Hardy to zone 5. Named for the nurseryman George Gordon. Rarely produces fruit due to hybrid sterility.

Native Range

Ribes x gordonianum is a garden hybrid between R. sanguineum (native to western North America, British Columbia to California) and R. odoratum (native to central North America, Great Plains). The cross was first made in the 1830s.

Suggested Uses

Planted in borders, hedgerows, or wildlife gardens at 4-5 foot (1.2-1.8 m) spacing. Bicolored coppery-red/yellow flowers. Hybrid of two native North American currant species. Slight clove fragrance. Arching habit may be open—not a dense hedge. Rarely fruits. Not suitable for very dry or very wet conditions.

How to Identify

Distinguished from R. sanguineum (parent) by the bicolored coppery-red/yellow (versus solid pink or red) flowers and the slight clove fragrance. Distinguished from R. odoratum (parent) by the coppery (versus pure golden-yellow) flower color. The bicolored hybrid currant—coppery-red outside, yellow inside, combining traits of both parent species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 8'

Width/Spread4' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Pendant racemes 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) of tubular bicolored flowers—coppery-red to bronze-orange outside, yellow inside—April-May. Slight clove fragrance from R. odoratum parentage. Rarely fruits due to hybrid sterility. Bloom duration 3-4 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Coppery-red to bronze-orange outside, yellow inside; bicolored tubular; pendant racemes 2-3 inches; Apr-May

Foliage Description

Medium to dark green; lobed maple-like 1.5-3 inches; slightly aromatic; deciduous

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-4 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil (pH 5.5-7.0). Hardy to zone 5. Tolerates a range of conditions. The arching habit may need space. Drought tolerant once established. Pest and disease resistant.