Catalina Perfume (Evergreen Currant)
Ribes viburnifolium
Now here’s a strange one! Catalina Perfume, also known Evergreen Currant, is a true currant species native to Catalina Island and Baja California. This trailing shrublet is somewhere between a bush and a groundcover, growing long, leading new branches that allow a single plant to cover some distance. Evergreen foliage has purple stems on tender growth and sparkling, fragrant, fuchsia colored flowers are followed by small red edible berries. Like some other Ribes species, the foliage has a spicy, clove-like scent that’s quite pleasant. Unlike other Ribes species, Catalina Perfume is quite drought tolerant.
If left to its own devices, the trailing new growth on Catalina Perfume will slowly layer and set roots, but is easily lifted or pruned. Tolerant of heavy shade, this adaptable plant adds great texture for that weird hole in the garden under the large shrubs.
Cold hardy to USDA zone 7b or above, or to 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
For sale are 1 gallon potted plants.