Ribes viburnifolium - Catalina Current

Ribes viburnifolium - Catalina Current, Catalina Perfume, Island Gooseberry, Evergreen Currant

Pot Size: 1 Gallon

This evergreen shrub is native to southern California, especially on Santa Catalina Island, and into northern Baja California. It is a rare member of the chaparral plant community, and common in landscaped drought-tolerant gardens. The shrub grows low to the ground, extending long reddish stems horizontally where the tips may root and establish new growth centers. The leaves are dark green and shiny on their top surfaces, and lighter green or yellowish and leathery on the undersides. Clusters of deep red flowers bloom in late winter and into early spring. The plant yields small red fruits later in the spring that attract birds. Hummingbirds and insects are attracted to the flowers. Other birds and small mammals are attracted to the fruits.  Excellent Oak Woodland variety.

Size: 2 - 3 ft tall & up to 8 ft wide
Form: Weeping/spreading
Growth rate: Moderate - Fast