American Black Currant 20 Seeds – Ribes americanum | Wild Black Currant | Native Shrub for Eastern Canada
Product Overview Ribes americanum, commonly known as American Black Currant or Wild Black Currant. A thornless, deciduous shrub native to Eastern Canada. This listing includes 20 seeds. Botanical Information - Botanical Name: Ribes americanum - Common Names: American Black Currant, Wild Black Currant - Family: Grossulariaceae Hardiness & Growth - Hardiness Zones: USDA 3–7 (suitable for most of Eastern Canada) - Mature Height: 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) - Mature Spread: 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) - Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed shrub - Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade - Soil Preference: Moist, well-drained soils; tolerates clay and loam - Moisture Requirements: Prefers consistently moist sites Features - Thornless stems—easy to handle and maintain - Showy creamy-yellow flowers in spring, arranged in drooping clusters - Edible black berries ripen in mid-summer - Attractive yellow to orange-red fall colour - Wildlife value: berries are food for birds and small mammals; flowers attract pollinators Landscape Uses - Woodland gardens and shaded borders - Ecological restoration and naturalization projects - Riparian buffers and stream bank stabilization - Wildlife gardens and pollinator habitat - Native plant landscapes Growing Conditions Thrives in moist, shady to partially shaded sites. Adaptable to a range of soil types, including clay and loam, provided drainage is adequate. Once established, it is relatively low-maintenance and hardy through cold Canadian winters. Seed Preparation & Germination Ribes seeds require cold stratification to break dormancy. Recommended method: 1. Sow seeds outdoors in late fall for natural cold stratification over winter 2. Alternatively, mix seeds with moist sand or peat moss in a sealed container 3. Refrigerate at 2–5°C (35–40°F) for 60–90 days 4. After stratification, sow seeds ¼ inch deep in moist, well-draining soil 5. Keep soil consistently moist; germination typically occurs in spring What You Receive - 20 seeds of Ribes americanum (American Black Currant / Wild Black Currant)