About
Ribes laurifolium, the laurel-leaved currant, is a spreading, dioecious evergreen shrub with leathery, oblong leaves and pendent racemes of yellow-green flowers in late winter and early spring. Red fruits ripen to black on female plants. An ornamental winter-flowering shrub for a sheltered, shaded garden.
About the genus
Ribes, the currants and gooseberries, are deciduous or evergreen shrubs, sometimes spiny, with simple, usually palmately lobed leaves and small, tubular or bell-shaped flowers borne in spring or summer, followed by juicy, sometimes edible berries. Ornamental and useful garden shrubs.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, North-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesMixed borders, hedging, foundation planting.
Native toChina, Myanmar
Care notes
CultivationEasy to grow shrub for a sheltered position in sun or partial shade
PruningPruning group 2
PropagationPropagate by semi-hardwood cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to gall mites, gall midge and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to a leaf spot, powdery mildews, coral spot and sometimes honey fungus