How much sun does Canyon gooseberry need?

Canyon gooseberry grows best in part sun conditions.

When does Canyon gooseberry bloom?

Canyon gooseberry blooms in February, March, and April.

Where is Canyon gooseberry native?

Canyon gooseberry (Ribes menziesii) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Canyon gooseberry attract?

Canyon gooseberry draws hummingbirds and native bees.

Canyon gooseberry

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ribes menziesii

Last reviewed: October 2026

Canyon gooseberry (Ribes menziesii) is a perennial shrub native to CA, OR. It blooms in February, March, and April. The flowers draw hummingbirds and native bees.

Toxicity unknown

Canyon gooseberry (Ribes menziesii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

36"–72" H × 36"–60" W

Bloom

Feb, Mar, Apr

Native to

CA, OR

Pollinators

hummingbirds, native bees

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A spiny, deciduous shrub with small lobed leaves and dangling, fuchsia-like red and white flowers in early spring. It grows in woodland understories, later bearing bristly, edible berries.

Growing Canyon gooseberry

Grow Canyon gooseberry in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 36 to 72 inches tall and spread 36 to 60 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Early flowers are an important nectar source for hummingbirds returning in late winter, and native bees also visit.

Common questions

How much sun does Canyon gooseberry need?: Canyon gooseberry grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Canyon gooseberry bloom?: Canyon gooseberry blooms in February, March, and April.
Where is Canyon gooseberry native?: Canyon gooseberry (Ribes menziesii) is native to CA, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Canyon gooseberry attract?: Canyon gooseberry draws hummingbirds and native bees.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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