Reference specimenAccession  '903101

Ribes curvatum

Granite Gooseberry

At a glance
Type
Shrub
Hardiness
USDA Zones 7–9
Sun
Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained, Average
Mature size
Height 2–4 Feet · Spread 5–6 Feet
Growth rate
Moderate
Seasonality
Deciduous
Ribes curvatum granite gooseberry, arching stems with small white elongated-petaled flowers.
Ribes curvatum, Granite Gooseberry at Woodlanders
A plant Woodlanders once offered on our catalogue

This variety is no actively in production in our propagation house and may not return to our catalogue. We maintain this page purely for reference and archival purposes. If you would like to grow this plant, tell us. Your interest helps guide what we bring back.

For a larger installation or commercial project, write hello@woodlanders.net.

Granite gooseberry is a rare native shrub of the rocky, granitic soils of the Southeast, turning up in widely scattered localities from Georgia to Texas. A low, deciduous plant of two to four feet, the arching branches root where they touch the ground and knit slowly into colonies, and the small, three-lobed leaves and purple, red-spined stems give the shrub a fine, distinctive texture.

The real charm is the bloom. In spring, small but conspicuous flowers hang beneath the arching stems, each with elongated white petals that catch the eye at close range. Ribes is the old name for the currants and gooseberries, and this species belongs among the native American members of that useful clan, though granite gooseberry is grown far more for botanical interest and quiet garden texture than for fruit.

This is a plant for the collector and the native-plant gardener. Granite gooseberry is seldom seen in gardens, and as with many of the uncommon southeastern natives, Woodlanders may be the first nursery to offer the shrub to the gardening public. Growing the plant is a small way of keeping a scarce and little-known native in cultivation.

Grow granite gooseberry in ordinary garden soil in semi-shade, where the arching, self-layering branches can spread into a low colony at a woodland edge, along a shaded path, or in a native or rock garden that echoes the granitic outcrops of the wild. Pair with ferns, woodland natives, and other shade companions, give the plant room to layer, and enjoy the spring flowers and the fine texture up close.

Design Notes

A rare native for the collector's shade garden. Grow granite gooseberry in ordinary garden soil in semi-shade, where the arching, self-layering branches can spread into a low colony at a woodland edge, along a shaded path, or in a native or rock garden echoing the granitic outcrops of the wild.

Pair with ferns, woodland natives, and other shade companions, give room to layer, and enjoy the spring flowers and fine texture up close. Growing the plant helps keep a scarce, little-known southeastern native in cultivation.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

White, elongated petals, hanging, spring

Flower. Small but conspicuous flowers hang beneath the arching stems in spring, each with distinctive elongated white petals, best appreciated at close range.

Fruit. A small berry follows the flowers, as in the other gooseberries, of botanical interest more than ornamental show.

Foliage. Small, three-lobed leaves on purple, arching stems set with small red spines, giving a fine, distinctive texture. The branches root where they touch the ground.

Care

Light. Part shade to semi-shade. A woodland edge or the filtered light beneath taller plants suits the shrub well.

Soil. Ordinary, well-drained garden soil. The plant grows naturally on rocky, granitic ground and takes lean soil in stride.

Water. Keep the soil evenly moist while establishing, then the plant is undemanding. Mulch to hold moisture and cool the roots.

Pruning. Little needed. The arching branches layer and spread on their own; lift rooted layers to propagate or to contain the colony.

Hardiness. USDA zones 7 to 9. A rare native seldom seen in cultivation, grown for botanical interest and fine texture.