Description
Although the common name sticky currant doesn’t paint a lovely picture in your mind, this deciduous shrub is actually quite exquisite and lovely. The pendulous white to greenish white or pale pink tubular flowers hang from the upright or spreading branches, decorating the shrub with bell-shaped flowers. The flowers are glandular and sticky, as are the dark green, maple-like leaves and blue to black berries. The leaves secrete a gummy substance that is sticky when touched, and it has a pleasant fragrance. The blue to black berries are covered with a bluish wax and are not palatable. The branches do not have spines like some species in the genus Ribes. Grows 3′-6′ tall. Found along streams and in damp or dry forest edges, and meadow margins at mid to high elevations. Flowers in early summer, generally May-June depending on elevation. Native to Western Canada and Western United States. Prefers medium to moist soil with good drainage in full sun to part shade. This is a fire resilient species that sprouts after wildfire. Flowers are attractive to bumble bees and other pollinators.
Sticky currant (Ribes viscosissimum) seed packets contain approximately 60 seeds per packet.
Seed Germination Instructions
This species requires approximately 90 days cold-moist stratification. Sow outside in fall.
Sow seeds in pots or direct sow outside in fall with a light dusting of soil over the seeds and let nature do the stratification naturally outside if you have cold enough winters. If you live in an area with mild winters, you may need to provide the cold-moist stratification artificially. For more information please read through the information in our Seed Germination and Propagation Reference Guide.
