Description
Gold Berry is a clove currant selection distinguished primarily by its fruit color. In spring, the plant produces clusters of yellow flowers with the strong clove-like fragrance that defines clove currants. As the season progresses, those flowers mature into translucent yellow berries rather than the darker fruit typical of many clove currant selections.
Clove currants (Ribes aureum) are edible currants grown for fruit—sometimes referred to simply as “clove currants” because of their strongly scented blooms. Unlike currants selected primarily for dessert-style fresh eating, clove currants are valued for fragrance, adaptability, and aromatic fruit that performs best in jams, syrups, sauces, and infusions. They are generally more tolerant of heat, humidity, and variable soils than black currants.
Within this group, selections such as Gold Berry, Red Berry, and dark-fruited types share similar growth habit, bloom color, and season. The most consistent point of differentiation is berry color at maturity, rather than major differences in plant performance.
Gold Berry is typically chosen by growers interested in the visual distinction of yellow fruit while retaining the defining characteristics that make clove currants useful, resilient shrubs.
Overview
- Yellow-fruited selection of clove currant
- Strongly fragrant spring bloom (signature trait)
- Aromatic fruit suited to culinary use
- Adaptable shrub with low-input needs once established
- Shares habit and season with other clove currants
Growing Details
Latin Name: Ribes aureum
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; adaptable to most well-drained soils
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3–8
Rootstock: Grafted
Bearing Age: 1–2 years
Size at Maturity: Typically 5–7 ft tall and wide
Bloom Time: Spring
Ripening Time: Mid to late summer (varies by region)
Pollination: Generally self-fertile; yields may improve with another clove currant planted within 20–30 ft
Pests & Diseases: Generally low; good airflow and drainage support best health
Yield: Moderate to good once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: In clove currants, berry color can vary naturally across selections. Gold Berry is grown specifically for its yellow fruit while retaining the fragrance and growth habit typical of the group.
- Regional Insight: Clove currants perform well across the Midwest, Plains, Intermountain West, and much of the Pacific Northwest, where their durability and adaptability often exceed that of black currants.
- Explore more currants in our collection: Currants
