How to Care for Golden Currant

Overview

Golden currant provides a fragrant covering for natural areas on your property and is also well-suited as an informal hedge or border. Golden flowers give way to small black berries that bring birds to your yard. Hummingbirds and song birds are especially drawn to the fragrant blossoms and later fruit. The berries are also edible and used in jams and pies. Grow golden currant to complement your wildlife-friendly, edible landscaping. Proper care ensures your currant shrub will remain healthy and productive.

Step 1

Plant golden currant in well-drained and rich soil. Choose areas that are mildly sandy and loose, or raise the planting area by 2 inches by working peat moss or compost into the soil.

Step 2

Plant where the shrub receives full sun or light afternoon shade. Avoid planting where it shades out other sun-loving plants, as golden currant may reach a height of 12 feet.

Step 3

Space plants 4 feet apart along borders or in groups. Plant multiple shrubs in a hedge or grouping to ensure fruit production.

Step 4

Keep soil moist during dry spells when there is little to no natural rainfall or moisture. Allow the top 1 inch of soil to dry out between watering.

Step 5

Weed the area and remove any grass that grows under the shrub. Apply a 2-inch layer of organic mulch to help keep weeds down and provide nesting cover for birds.

Step 6

Prune in late summer or early fall after flower and fruit production stops. Trim off any suckers where they emerge from the shrub and cut back stems to right above a bud to control the shape of the plant.

Step 7

Lay fresh compost over the soil around the plants in spring to add nutrients back into the soil. Additional fertilization is not required.