Golden Currant
Ribes aureum
Grossulariaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · native
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.
Quick Facts
Primary Spore Release
Active Below-ground Growth
Spring Emergence / Primary Infection
Phenological Calendar
As of May 13, 2026, Puget Sound stations range from 1906.2 to 2098.2 GDD₃₂. Golden Currant has passed 'flower buds visible' (940 GDD₃₂).
Regional Season Tracker
GDD₃₂ accumulation across 7 Puget Sound stations · as of May 13, 2026| Station | GDD₃₂ | Current Stage | Next | To Go |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issaquah / East King | 2,098 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Kent / Auburn | 2,089 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Seattle / UW | 2,063 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Olympia / Tumwater | 2,025 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Tacoma / Puyallup | 1,993 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Bellingham / Whatcom | 1,972 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| Sequim / Rain Shadow | 1,906 | 'Flower buds visible' | — | — |
| 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 May 13, 2026. Predicted dates use 16-day weather forecast through May 29, 2026, then climate normals.