Ribes odoratum ‘Crandall’

Ribes odoratum, commonly known as Clove Currant or Clove Scented Currant, is a deciduous shrub native to the central, inland regions of North America. It can grow up to six feet tall and wide, with an open, rounded habit. The plant has dark green leaves that turn yellow in the fall, and in late spring it produces clusters of fragrant, showy yellow flowers that fill the garden with the spicy scent of clove.

Clove Currant produces a large edible berry, with a sweet-tart flavor that is often compared to that of a grape. The fruit is black when ripe and is commonly used for making jams, jellies, and syrups. Plants are productive with a fruiting habit more similar to gooseberries than other currant varieties. Clove Currant prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate a range of soil types, including sandy or clay soils, but it does not like overly wet conditions. The plant is also relatively drought-tolerant once established. Plants are thornless, resistant to sawfly, and not known to harbor White Pine Blister Rust.

Cold hardy to USDA Zone 4 or to -25 degrees Fahrenheit.