Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Grossulariaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced
Last updated
Golden currant (Ribes aureum), also called buffalo currant, is a broadleaf deciduous shrub in the Grossulariaceae family native to western North America from British Columbia east to Saskatchewan, south to Texas and west to California. It reaches 6-8 ft tall (10 ft at 20 years) with a decumbent, thicket-forming habit. Fragrant yellow tubular flowers turn orange and red with age, appearing on previous season's wood.
Golden currant is hardy in zones 3a-8b and tolerates full sun to shade with wet-tolerant drainage (pH 4.7-7.8) and moderate water, requiring a minimum 12-inch root depth. Growth is fast with five diseases documented. The plant naturally occurs by streams and ravines.
Plant Profile
Size & Form
Site Requirements
Ornamental Interest
Active Conidial Spread
Active Infection & Secondary Spread
Active Below-ground Growth
Diseases: Regionally Documented (5)
Phenological Calendar
As of June 3, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 2435.5 to 2672.8 GDD₃₂. Golden Currant has passed 'flower buds visible' (940 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of Jun 3, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,673 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,665 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,610 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,570 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 2,535 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 2,533 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 2,436 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
View full calendar (3 stages)
| Stage | GDD32 | Typical Window |
|---|---|---|
| 'Bud break' BBCH '07' | 740 | '' |
| 'Leaf emergence' BBCH '11' | 879 | '' |
| ● 'Flower buds visible' BBCH '51' NOW | 940 | '' |
Source: 'NPN citizen science observations (WA+OR), n=7, median. services.usanpn.org' About GDD₃₂ →
Season tracker for Kent / Auburn as of Jun 3, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through Jun 19, 2026, then climate normals.