PLANT OF THE MONTH:
Catalina perfume
Ribes viburnifolium
IN THE GARDEN: An evergreen shrub that grows 3' to 6' tall and 6'-12' wide. Space 12'0" apart. It has dark shiny green leathery leaves that are fragrant after rains. The red bark, and small purplish flowers and a lovely contrast to the leaves. Flowers Jan - May, fruits May to July. This plant looks great all year long and works well accompanied with Iris douglasiana and Heuchera maxima. The shiny green leaves make Catalina Perfume a good, authentic, drought tolerant substitute for Star Jasmine. Excellent under oaks and good for bank cover and erosion control.
ECOLOGICAL VALUE: Attracts Birds. Drought tolerant. Erosion Control.
NATIVE DISTRIBUTION: Found on the Santa Catalina Islands and the greater San Diego area (calscape.org).
AT THE NURSERY: We currently have 27 in D-16 containers which are $4.75 each, 22 in D-40 containers which are $6.75 each, and 16 in 1-gallon containers (recently bumped) for $11.25 each.
