Flowers and Plants
Gardening Guides
This Fragrant, Flowering Ground Cover Thrives Under Shady Oaks
Island gooseberry, or Ribes viburnifolium, is a California native that’s at home in low-water gardens
Island gooseberry is perfect for dry shade under California oak trees. Its deep green foliage and spicy-sweet perfume make a wonderful addition to the shadier spots in drought-tolerant gardens. Planting it in fall or winter gives it a chance to establish in California’s cooler and rainier seasons before flowering in spring.
Photo by Ken Gilliland
Benefits and tolerances: Adaptable to many soil types, including clay
Seasonal interest: Tiny, deep pink flowers in spring; small fruits in shades of red and yellow possible in summer
When to plant: Late October to February in Mediterranean climate areas, like most of California, to utilize winter rains and cooler temperatures during the plant’s establishment period
Benefits and tolerances: Adaptable to many soil types, including clay
Seasonal interest: Tiny, deep pink flowers in spring; small fruits in shades of red and yellow possible in summer
When to plant: Late October to February in Mediterranean climate areas, like most of California, to utilize winter rains and cooler temperatures during the plant’s establishment period
Distinguishing traits. Island gooseberry is an evergreen ground cover that can spread gently, not invasively, in shady parts of the garden. The small leaves, which can get larger as the plant matures, are glossy and deep green. Stems are an attractive red-brown. Both the stems and foliage have a spicy-sweet fragrance that is most pronounced after a rain or when crushed in hand.
How to use it. This plant thrives in partial to full shade in drought-tolerant gardens. Use it as a ground cover under oak trees. It can stabilize a partly shady slope and makes an excellent ground-cover alternative to the more invasive English and Algerian ivy species.
How to Design a Great Garden on a Sloped Lot
How to Design a Great Garden on a Sloped Lot
Photo by Ken Gilliland
Planting notes. Island gooseberry can be started from seed, cuttings or 1-gallon container plants. It can take a year or two to really take off and fill in, but this means it’s easy to control in the garden.
Maintenance requirements are minimal. You can tip-prune (prune the ends of the branches) to help this plant grow in more densely, and you can even use a weed whip-style string trimmer to encourage fresh growth.
It can be difficult to find but is worth looking for. Check with your local native plant nursery for availability, or look for seeds online.
Read more about gardening with plants native to your region
Planting notes. Island gooseberry can be started from seed, cuttings or 1-gallon container plants. It can take a year or two to really take off and fill in, but this means it’s easy to control in the garden.
Maintenance requirements are minimal. You can tip-prune (prune the ends of the branches) to help this plant grow in more densely, and you can even use a weed whip-style string trimmer to encourage fresh growth.
It can be difficult to find but is worth looking for. Check with your local native plant nursery for availability, or look for seeds online.
Read more about gardening with plants native to your region
Botanical name: Ribes viburnifolium
Common names: Island gooseberry, Catalina currant, Catalina perfume, evergreen currant
Origin: Endemic to Santa Catalina Island (off the coast of California) and in Baja, Mexico
Where it will grow: May tolerate temperatures down to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 9.4 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 8 and higher; find your zone)
Typical plant communities: Shaded woodland and canyon areas of coastal scrub
Water requirement: Regular water during establishment (first year), then only occasional water required
Light requirement: Partial to full shade; increased flowering with some sun
Mature size: About 2 feet tall and spreading to 6 feet wide