Ribes fasciculatum

Ribes fasciculatum is a deciduous shrub in the currant family, Grossulariaceae. Its native range spans central and eastern China, Korea, and Japan. It grows in temperate parts of this region. In China, it occurs in forests, woodland edges, and bamboo woods. It also grows on foothills, stony slopes, and roadsides. Korean records place it on rocky ground near villages.

The shrub reaches about 5 feet [1.5 metres] in height. Its leaves remain from March to November, according to Plants For A Future. Flowers open in April and have a strong, pleasant scent. Insects pollinate them, but one plant cannot fertilise itself. Plants function as either male or female, despite their flower structure. Grow both sexes together when fruit or seed is wanted. Female flowers have sterile pollen, while male flowers have sterile ovules.

The reddish-brown fruit measures about 0.2–0.4 inches across. Seeds ripen from September to October. The fruit may stay on the branches into winter. Each fruit holds many fairly large seeds and little flesh. People can eat the fruit raw or cooked, but it tastes unpleasant. Even autumn fruit has little appeal as food. Young leaves can also be cooked and eaten. Plants For A Future lists no known hazards. This does not establish safety for pets or every possible use. The same source records no known medicinal or other practical uses.

Choose a loamy soil that holds moisture but drains well. Soil of at least moderate quality suits this shrub. It also accepts sandy and clay soils. It tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. Shade does not prevent growth, but it reduces fruiting. A sunny woodland edge or dappled shade suits its garden use. Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 4–8. It also reports cold tolerance down to about −20°C. The scent and fruit that lasts into winter offer garden interest.

This species can host a stage of white pine blister rust. Plants For A Future advises keeping it away from pine trees. It reports no weed potential for the species. Sow fresh seed in autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed needs four to five months of cold treatment. Keep seedlings in a cold frame through their first winter. Plant them out in late spring the following year. Cuttings offer another way to raise new plants.