Golden Currant vs Round Leaf Hawthorn - TreeTime.ca

Golden Currant vs Round Leaf Hawthorn

Crataegus rotundifolia (Crataegus cyclophylla)

Ribes aureum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Round Leaf Hawthorn
Golden Currant

Getting its name from rounded, toothed leaves, the Round Leaf Hawthorn is a winter hardy shrub that grows small, red, berry-like fruits.

Commonly used for landscaping, this shrub can also be found along stream banks and in wooded areas. Caution is advised when handling the Round Leaf Hawthorn, as it can have sharp thorns approximately 1" long.

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.

Round Leaf Hawthorn Quick Facts

Golden Currant Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Foliage: round, serrated
Fall colour: reddish purple
Flowers: showy white
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: small red berries
Berries: glossy black berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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