Ribes viburnifolium

RHS Plant Profile

Catalina currant

Synonyms

Ribes viburnumifia

Shrubs

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An evergreen shrub with long, slender, arching reddish stems, and broadly oval, glossy deep green leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Clusters of small reddish-pink flowers are produced in early spring, and followed by round red berries that are popular with birds

Position

Full shade, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Foliage

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Grossulariaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading branched
Genus: Ribes can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes spiny, with simple, usually palmately lobed leaves and small tubular or bell-shaped, solitary or racemose flowers borne in spring or summer, followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Tolerates a range of soils. Useful ground cover for light shade in warmer regions

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by semi-ripe cuttings or by layering; stems will sometimes root naturally as they spread

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required, though can be trimmed to create a bushier shape and will tolerate renovative pruning if necessary

Pests

May be susceptible to gall mites, gall midges and aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus