Ribes aureum (Golden currant)

Botanical name

Ribes aureum

Other names

Golden currant, Buffalo currant, Golden-flowered currant, Missouri currant, Slender-flowered blackcurrant, Yellow-flowered currant, Clove currant

Genus

Ribes Ribes

Species

R. aureum - R. aureum is an upright, suckering, deciduous shrub with lobed, mid- to dark green leaves turning red in autumn and racemes of fragrant, yellow, cream, or red flowers followed by edible, tart, golden-yellow to black fruit.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Flowers have a spicy fragrance.

Habit

Suckering, Spreading, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Yellow in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Red in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

Specific diseases

Coral spot , Honey fungus , Leaf spot , Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Prune after flowering by removing oldest stems that are at least three years old to the ground. Partially self-fertile but fruiting is improved with cross-pollination from another Ribes.

Propagation methods

Hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Ribes aureum (Golden currant) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Hedging/Screens, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Grows in most soils but prefers a sunny or partially shaded position in moist but well-drained loam. Tolerates full shade but fruiting is reduced. Spreads by underground rhizomes, especially in moist soil. Drought tolerant once established.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Ribes aureum (Golden currant)

Common pest name

Japanese fruit scale; Mulberry scale; White peach scale

Scientific pest name

Pseudaulacaspis pentagona

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Scale insect which in favourable conditions may kill trees. There have been a number of findings in the UK but some uncertainty about whether the pest is established. Stakeholder organisations may wish to monitory for its presence.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Ribes aureum (Golden currant)

Common pest name

Latent ringspot of strawberry

Scientific pest name

Strawberry latent ringspot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Present in the UK; risk of spread is effectively mitigated by current regulation and industry certification scheme. To be considered as part of EFSA Annex IIAII review.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Ribes aureum (Golden currant)

Common pest name

Cherry rasp leaf (in part) (European); Gooseberry leaf distortion; Lloyd George raspberry yellow blotch disease; Pfeffinger disease of cherry; Redcurrant ringspot; Ringspot diseases of raspberry; strawberry and flowering currant; RRSV; Spoon leaf of redcurrant (Netherlands)

Scientific pest name

Raspberry ringspot virus

Type

Virus or Viroid

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

1

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Pest present in the UK; risk of spread is mitigated by industry certification scheme.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/