Golden Currant vs Variegated Dogwood - TreeTime.ca

Golden Currant vs Variegated Dogwood

Cornus alba argenteo-marginata

Ribes aureum

Variegated Dogwood
Golden Currant

Variegated Dogwood is a small shrub that is often used in the first row of a shelterbelt, as a hedge, or for soil stabilization projects. It has the same distinctive red bark, white flowers, and berries as Red Osier Dogwood.

The key difference between the two is the leaves. Where Red Osier's leaves are green throughout, Variegated Dogwood has a white outline around each leaf, giving this shrub a distinctive look.

Golden Currant produces berries for jams, jellies, sauces and even pemmican. This currant bush is very dense, allowing for use as a hedge, windbreak, or wildlife habitat.

This plant is also a very popular rootstock to graft popular red and white currant varieties to. The resulting plants are taller, more productive, and easier to harvest.

Variegated Dogwood Quick Facts

Golden Currant Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.49 - SAVE UP TO 25%
Lowest Price: $4.99 - SAVE UP TO 33%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Foliage: variegated white edges
Fall colour: reddish purple
Flowers: yellow
Berries: glossy black berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Other Names: tatarian dogwood
Other Names: buffalo currant, clove currant, fragrant golden currant, golden flowering currant, spicebush