Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Indian Currant, Shrub, Gallon pot

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Indian Currant, Shrub

FS-PS, Zone 2, blooms May-June, 4’ x 2-4’, medium wet to medium dry.

Also known as Coralberry, Indian Currant is a dense suckering shrub that blooms in early spring followed by unusual berries in the fall. Cutting the shrub back in late winter or early spring makes for a bushier plant. We planted some from bare root last summer and they grew to about 3’ x 2-3’ and produced the berries the plant is known for. The berries contain saponin, a chemical in other plants such as peas. It’s in quite a high concentration in Indian Currant, rendering the berries inedible to humans. Indian currant forms extensive colonies and spreads by rooting at the nodes where their branches touch the ground. This plant is a great choice for a woodland garden.

Attracts a wide variety of insects and wildlife. The flowers provide nectar for bees, wasps, butterflies and flies. And it’s a favorites nectar plant for the Ruby Throated Hummingbird. The caterpillars of the moths Snowberry Clearwing, Hummingbird Clearwing and the Sulfur Moth feed on the foliage of Indian Currant. The berries provide winter interest with their bright reddish hue. They stay all winter and finally ripen in early spring providing food for birds including Robins and Bobwhite. The dense, arching branches also make a nice cover for wildlife.

The bell shaped white flowers draw native bees. native wasps and flies. It is a host plant for the Clearwing Moth (Hummingbird Moth). the plant provides shelter for wildlife.