Great Design Plant: Pink Chaparral Currant (Ribes malvaceum) for Winter Blooms

Pink chaparral currant (Ribes malvaceum) awakens the dormant garden with cascading pink flower tassels from October through March — a critical nectar source for winter hummingbirds. Edible blue-purple berries follow in spring, and the foliage can be used for tea.

Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds

Plant Profile

• Botanical name: Ribes malvaceum
• Common name: Pink chaparral currant
• Origin: California Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada foothills, Bay Area, Channel Islands, northern Baja
• Habitat: Chaparral, oak woodland, conifer forest, below 4,500 ft
• Hardiness: USDA zones 7–10 (0–35°F)
• Water: Drought-tolerant to moderate
• Light: Full sun on coast; partial shade inland
• Soil: Adaptable, needs good drainage
• Mature size: 5–6 ft tall/wide (some cultivars larger)
• Benefits: Deer-tolerant; good for slopes and under oaks; leaves for tea; berries edible cooked
• Seasonal interest: Fall–spring blooms, spring berries
• When to plant: Late fall ideal; winter or early spring acceptable

Treebeard

Distinguishing Traits

Fast-growing, upright, drought-tolerant shrub with showy pink tassels (fall–spring) and edible berries. Most drought-tolerant of pink-flowering Ribes. Summer deciduous — drops leaves in heat/drought, re-leafs after first rains or fall irrigation.

Wildlife Value

Winter hummingbirds flock to its nectar; birds eat spring/summer berries; tailed copper butterfly uses Ribes as larval host.

Photo by Curtis Clark

Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds

How to Use It

Backdrop, low screen, dry slopes, under oaks (plant 6–10 ft from crown to avoid oak root fungus), or in borders. Pair with summer-performing plants like monkeyflower, evergreen currant, toyon. For woodland look: combine with evergreen currant, Bolander's phacelia, Douglas iris, hummingbird sage, coffeeberry.

Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds

Planting Notes

Water deeply first few summers until established. Then no summer water — mulch and extend watering into cool fall/spring if desired. Good drainage essential. Full sun coast, partial shade inland. Rare pruning in dry season for shape; avoid cutting old wood (hollow stems collect moisture).

Selected Cultivars

• 'Dancing Tassels': Largest flowers (4–5 inch pale pink tassels), 6–8 ft tall/wide, from San Clemente Island.
• 'Ortega Beauty': 6 ft, deeper green leaves, stunning red tassels (like R. sanguineum), from Ortega Mountains.

Pete Veilleux, East Bay Wilds

Las Pilitas Nursery

Sally Levinson