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Alpine currant

Ribes alpinum

Common names:
Alpine currant

Content Detail

Alpine currant is a hardy, low mounded shrub commonly used as a hedge. Plants are tolerant of full sun to full shade. Very low-maintenance with little ornamental appeal other than its dense green foliage.

  • Family (English) Gooseberry
  • Family (botanic) Grossulariaceae
  • Tree or plant type Shrub
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Small shrub (3-5 feet), Medium shrub (5-8 feet)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily), Full shade (4 hrs or less of light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7
  • Soil preference Alkaline soil, Moist, well-drained soil
  • Tolerances Alkaline soil, clay soil, Occasional drought, Road salt
  • Season of interest early summer, midsummer, late summer
  • Flower color and fragrance Inconspicuous
  • Shape or form Mounded, Round
  • Growth rate Moderate

More Information

Size and Form

A rounded, twiggy, deciduous shrub reaching 3 to 6 feet high and 6 to 7 feet wide, Alpine currant is often used as an informal hedge.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

This shrub is native to Europe and Russia.

Birds, Pollinators, or Wildlife

Birds and butterflies are attracted to Alpine currant.

Bark Color and Texture

Light gray-brown to tan, the older stems exfoliate.

Leaf Description

Leaves are alternate, ovate with three to five lobes, and 1 to 2 inches long.

Flower Description

Dioecious, this shrub has separate male and female plants. The flowers are insignificant and a greenish-yellow color.

Fruit Description

Fruits develop on female plants only. They are a scarlet, juicy berry.

Care Knowledge

Plant Care

Place Alpine currant in full sun to full shade and in moist well-drained soils. This shrub is adaptable to soil pH, clay, compacted, and dry soils. It is very winter hardy and tolerates windy sites and rabbits. Alpine currant responds well to pruning and can be sheared. 

Disease, Pests, and Problems

Alpine currant is susceptible to leaf spots, aphids, scale insects, rust and anthracnose.

Cultivars

Green Mound Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum ‘Green Mound’):

This is a male form, growing 2 to 3 feet high and wide.

Dwarf Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum ‘Pumilum’):

Similar to Green Mound Alpine currant, this cultivar is male and 2 to 3 feet high.

Green Jeans™ Alpine currant (Ribes alpinum ‘Spreg’):

A female cultivar, this shrub grows 3 to 5 feet high and has wide, glossy dark green foliage.

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