shrub

Green Mound Alpine Currant

Ribes alpinum 'Green Mound'

Not currently listed at our partner nurseries.

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Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

30 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Low

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

20-30 years

Native To

Europe

Toxicity

Non-toxic

The Story

Plant Bio

Ribes alpinum is a dense, hardy, deciduous shrub native to Europe, valued for its adaptability to tough conditions, especially shade and dry soils. 'Green Mound' is a compact, dwarf, male cultivar that forms a neat, rounded mound of dense, lobed, green foliage, making it an excellent low hedge or foundation plant.

Bloom Period:

EarlyLate

Uses & Benefits:

Its primary ornamental value is its dense, lush, green foliage and its neat, mounded habit. It leafs out very early in the spring, providing green when the landscape is still waking up.

This is an incredibly functional plant. It is an excellent choice for a low, formal or informal hedge, a foundation planting that won't overgrow its space, and for massing in difficult dry shade conditions. Its toughness makes it suitable for urban environments.

While not a major wildlife plant (especially the fruitless male clones), its dense structure can provide cover for small birds and other animals. The inconspicuous flowers offer some nectar for early pollinators.

Marketplace

Where to Buy

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Planting

How to Grow

Select a site; this shrub tolerates sun, shade, and almost any soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot.
Place the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the soil.
Backfill the hole and water to settle the soil.
Water regularly for the first season to establish.
Once established, it is very drought tolerant.

Pro Tip

This is one of the few shrubs that can be sheared into a tidy hedge even in considerable shade.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in difficult spots where other shrubs fail.
Use it as a low-maintenance alternative to boxwood in cold climates.
Shear it annually after the first flush of growth to maintain a tight form.
Appreciate its early leaf-out in spring.

Don't

Don't plant in consistently waterlogged soil.
Avoid planting near white pines, as it is an alternate host for white pine blister rust.
Don't expect showy flowers or fruit; it's grown for its foliage and form.
Don't worry about deer or rabbits; they tend to leave it alone.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Tidy low hedge for shady areasDurable foundation plantingMassed as a tough, reliable groundcover

Companion Plants

Hosta sieboldiana 'Elegans' Astilbe chinensis 'Visions' Hakonechloa macra 'Aureola' Brunnera macrophylla 'Jack Frost' Pulmonaria 'Raspberry Splash'

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Green Mound Alpine Currant questions

What zones can Green Mound Alpine Currant grow in?

Green Mound Alpine Currant is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Green Mound Alpine Currant deer resistant?

Yes — Green Mound Alpine Currant is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Green Mound Alpine Currant bloom?

Green Mound Alpine Currant typically blooms in mid-spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Green Mound Alpine Currant need full sun?

Green Mound Alpine Currant does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Green Mound Alpine Currant drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Green Mound Alpine Currant handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.