Downy currant
Ribes warszewiczii
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. 1E42 — Ribes warszewiczii
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IOverview
Overview
Downy currant (Ribes warszewiczii) is a deciduous shrub native to the northern regions of North America and Asia, including Alaska, Canada, and parts of Russia. This plant thrives in moist conditions and can tolerate various soil types, from light sandy to heavy clay. It prefers full sun to partial shade and grows to about 1.5 meters tall. Downy currant is known for its edible fruit, which can be enjoyed fresh or used in culinary applications. Its native range extends across a wide area, including states like Alaska, Alberta, Connecticut, Idaho, and provinces such as British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. This versatile shrub adds both ornamental value and culinary interest to gardens and landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Downy currant?
Downy currant (Ribes warszewiczii) is a deciduous shrub native to the northern regions of North America and Asia, including Alaska, Canada, and parts of Russia. This plant thrives in moist conditions and can tolerate various soil types, from light sandy to heavy clay.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Downy currant thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 3-7 and grows to about 1.5 meters tall. For propagation, consider using cuttings or seeds. This plant is native to regions like Alaska, Alberta, and British Columbia and can be grown for its edible fruit.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
3-7
Mature size
1.5 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Downy currant for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, low-maintenance approach to growing Downy currant.
- 1
What you'll need
A small downy currant plant or seeds, a container or garden bed, and basic gardening tools like a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring when the soil is workable or in late summer for fall establishment.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining, with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. Amend as needed to improve drainage if necessary.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants in early spring or sow seeds indoors about 12 weeks before the last frost date.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and provide partial shade to avoid scorching the new growth.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune in late winter before new growth starts to encourage healthy fruiting and remove any dead branches.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in heavy soil without amending, not providing enough sunlight, and neglecting regular pruning.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: The downy currant's fruit is edible and can be eaten raw or used in various preparations. The berries are often picked when ripe and consumed fresh, adding a tart flavor to jams, jellies, and pies. They can also be dried for later use. SKIP
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across2 continents· 30 native
Asia3 regions
native (3)ChinaJapanSouth Korea
Americas1 region
native (1)United States
Broader regions
native:British Columbia, Masachusettes, Northwest Territorie, Primorye, Massachusetts, Alberta, Amur, Buryatiya, Chita, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Labrador, Magadan, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, New Brunswick, New Hampshire
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 1e42873a-3550-4c2c-ad89-f4a23315977a
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