Ribes viburnifolium, commonly known as Catalina Currant, is an evergreen shrub native to the chaparral and coastal sage scrub regions of Southern California and Baja California, Mexico, including Cedros and Catalina Islands. It typically grows to a height of 2-3 feet (0.6-0.9 meters) and spreads 6-8 feet (1.8-2.4 meters) wide, forming a low, mounding ground cover. The plant’s arching branches bear dark green, glossy leaves that are paler and slightly hairy beneath, with a distinctive citrus-like fragrance when crushed. From late winter to early spring, it produces clusters of small, bell-shaped flowers that are red to maroon, followed by red berries that attract birds.

Catalina Currant is valued for its drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens and xeriscaping. It thrives in a variety of soil types, provided they have good drainage, and it can tolerate full sun to partial shade. This shrub is often used for erosion control on slopes, as an understory plant in woodland gardens, or as a fragrant, low-maintenance addition to native plant landscapes. While it is generally pest-free, it can occasionally suffer from fungal diseases in overly moist conditions. It is not known to be invasive and does not have aggressive roots, making it a safe choice for planting near structures.CC BY-SA 4.0