How much sun does Wild Currant need?

Wild Currant grows best in part shade conditions.

When does Wild Currant bloom?

Wild Currant blooms in May and June.

Where is Wild Currant native?

Wild Currant (Ribes glandulosum) is native to CT, MA, MD, ME and 13 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What pollinators does Wild Currant attract?

Wild Currant draws bees and flies.

Is Wild Currant HOA-friendly?

Wild Currant takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Wild Currant

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ribes glandulosum

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Wild Currant (Ribes glandulosum) 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

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–36" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

CT, MA, MD, ME and 13 more states

Pollinators

bees, flies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northern Forests Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Northeastern Highlands Northeastern Coastal Zone Northern Allegheny Plateau Erie Drift Plain Blue Ridge Ridge and Valley Central Appalachians Acadian Plains and Hills Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands

Wild currant is a low-growing native shrub that forms neat, compact mounds in partial shade. It produces small greenish flowers in late spring followed by red berries, and offers reliable three-season interest with attractive foliage that turns yellow in fall.

In an HOA neighborhood

Wild Currant takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Spreads by runners creating informal colonies
Can look sparse and weedy in winter
May be confused with non-native invasive currants

Wildlife value

The flowers attract native bees and beneficial flies in May and June. Birds enjoy the small red berries that ripen in summer.

Common questions

How much sun does Wild Currant need?: Wild Currant grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Wild Currant bloom?: Wild Currant blooms in May and June.
Where is Wild Currant native?: Wild Currant (Ribes glandulosum) is native to CT, MA, MD, ME and 13 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Wild Currant attract?: Wild Currant draws bees and flies.
Is Wild Currant HOA-friendly?: Wild Currant takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). 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.

See all plant problem guides

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