When does Island gooseberry bloom?

Island gooseberry typically flowers from January through March, producing small maroon blossoms along its arching stems.

How much water does Island gooseberry need?

Once established, it does well with low water and prefers dry conditions during the summer months, similar to coastal scrub environments.

What light conditions does Island gooseberry prefer?

It grows best in part shade to full shade and is often planted as an understory shrub or groundcover beneath oaks and other trees.

Is Island gooseberry evergreen or deciduous?

It is evergreen, keeping its glossy, aromatic foliage throughout the year.

What pollinators visit Island gooseberry flowers?

Hummingbirds and native bees are the main visitors to its small winter and early spring flowers.

Island gooseberry

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ribes viburnifolium

Last reviewed: October 2026

Ribes viburnifolium is a low-growing evergreen shrub suited to part shade or shade gardens with low water use. It produces small maroon flowers from January through March that draw hummingbirds and native bees.

Toxicity unknown

Island gooseberry (Ribes viburnifolium) 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 shade

Water

low

Size

24"–48" H × 60"–144" W

Bloom

Jan, Feb, Mar

Native to

Pollinators

hummingbirds, native bees

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A spreading evergreen currant with small leathery aromatic leaves on wine-red stems and modest pink-maroon flowers in winter. It is thornless, takes dry shade under oaks, and works as a wide low groundcover.

Growing Island gooseberry

Grow Island gooseberry in part shade and low water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 60 to 144 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Flowers in the depth of winter when almost nothing else does, supporting resident hummingbirds in the lean season.

Common questions

When does Island gooseberry bloom?: Island gooseberry typically flowers from January through March, producing small maroon blossoms along its arching stems.
How much water does Island gooseberry need?: Once established, it does well with low water and prefers dry conditions during the summer months, similar to coastal scrub environments.
What light conditions does Island gooseberry prefer?: It grows best in part shade to full shade and is often planted as an understory shrub or groundcover beneath oaks and other trees.
Is Island gooseberry evergreen or deciduous?: It is evergreen, keeping its glossy, aromatic foliage throughout the year.
What pollinators visit Island gooseberry flowers?: Hummingbirds and native bees are the main visitors to its small winter and early spring flowers.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

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.

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