Wax Currant (Ribes cereum)

Wax Currant is an interesting native currant species with benefits for wildlife. It's native to western Canada from British Columbia and eastward to the Rocky Mountains. Typically reaching 3-6 feet in height and width, it features small, rounded, lobed leaves and clusters of tubular, pink to white flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. The flowers are fragrant and attract a range of pollinators, including bees and hummingbirds. By late summer, the shrub produces small, bright red to orange berries with a mildly sweet, slightly waxy taste, which are often eaten by birds and other wildlife.

Adapted to dry, rocky slopes and open woodlands, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and is highly drought-tolerant once established. It grows well in well-drained soils, including sandy or gravelly sites, and is often found in native plantings or xeriscapes. In addition to its ecological benefits, it serves as an important food source and habitat for local wildlife.

Cold Hardiness Zone: 3
Mature Size: 3-6 ft