Garden Plant: Evergreen Currant
Evergreen Currant
Product Description: Evergreen Currant
Scented Like Fine Wine!
Evergreen Currant (Ribes viburnifolium) is a remarkable plant that should be in every West Coast garden. Sometimes called Catalina Perfume, this evergreen plant releases a heavy, sweet scent of wine grapes after a good rain. Some people say that it smells like fine wine, but even better. Make sure that you plant it somewhere that it will be brushed against or is close enough for you and your garden guests to enjoy the great scent.
The deep green foliage not only smells good but is beautiful to boot with a lovely waxy sheen. The stems are red and play off of the green leaves nicely.
Wide spreading but short in height, it can easily be kept in check with pruning as it handles shearing like a champ.
In the spring it has small rose-colored trumpet-shaped flowers and if you live on the coast it will even set berries for you when the flowers fade. These red berries will attract birds by the droves.
This is a definite shade lover. Sun will burn it to the ground, as will any temperature under 10 degrees. (We’ve seen it burn in the sun just up to the shade line. That shows you how sensitive it is!) This is a great plant for drought-resistant gardens, too. We’ve heard reports that even in severe drought years it only had be watered once or twice a year! Despite this it can handle regular water well also.
Deer tend to avoid it unless it’s the last item on the menu.
If you live in a climate that fits it, you will for sure want to add this unusual beauty to your garden. The look, the performance and the scent will make a stand-out shrub.
- Tall Groundcover Or Medium Hedge
- Rose-Colored Bell-Shaped Blooms In Spring
- Red Berries In Summer Attract Birds
- Drought Tolerant Evergreen