Yellow Twig Dogwood vs Bristly Black Currant - TreeTime.ca

Yellow Twig Dogwood vs Bristly Black Currant

Ribes lacustre

Cornus sericea flaviramea

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Bristly Black Currant
Yellow Twig Dogwood

Bristly Black Currant is a native deciduous shrub that grows in moist forests, swamps, and riparian areas. In summer, it produces clusters of dark purple to black berries that provide food for wildlife, while its reddish-purple flowers attract pollinators. The berries are technically edible and enjoyed by some, but many find them unpleasant and bitter.

Thriving in moist soils and shaded locations, Bristly Black Currant helps stabilize soil and supports diverse habitats. It is valuable for conservation plantings, wetland restoration, riparian buffers, and naturalization projects.

Note: When crushed, the berries are known to release an offensive odour.

Yellow Twig Dogwood is a small deciduous shrub with attractive, bright yellow bark.

It features delicate white, star-shaped flowers and white fruit. It is often used as a screen, and its wide-spreading roots help stabilize areas experiencing soil erosion.

Yellow Twig Dogwood complements Red Osier Dogwood, and it is a great filler to add winter color to shrub and flower gardens.

Bristly Black Currant Quick Facts

Yellow Twig Dogwood Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to spreading, thicket-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: prickles may cause an allergic reaction

Bark: reddish brown with prickles
Bark: golden yellow in fall/winter
Flowers: small maroon-green clusters
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Berries: dark purple with hairs, edible
Flavor: tart, unpleasant
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Other Names: black gooseberry, black swamp gooseberry, bristly black gooseberry, bristly currant, bristly swamp currant, prickly currant