The Currant Bush is a sparsely branched shrub with sweet smelling flowers and prickly stems. The spiny stems provide great habitat and protection for small birds and lizards. It is also the host plant for caterpillars of the Common Crow butterfly, Euploea corinna.
Description
The Currant Bush can grow up to 3m tall. Clusters of white, sweet-smelling, star-shaped flowers form in summer followed by small black berries. The shrub has small glossy, oval-shaped leaves and small spines which grow from each side of the stem between leaves. The branches and leaves of this plant contain a milky sap.
Growth requirements
This shrub is slow growing but long lived and hardy in most situations. The Currant Bush grows best in full sun, preferring well-drained soils. It will tolerate dry conditions once established.
