Stink Currant (Ribes bracteosum)

Don't let the name turn you away; stink currant is an excellent ornamental shrub, favouring shady, moist sites. It has an erect, multi-stemmed habit, and large, attractive, maple-shaped leaves, which emit a skunky odour when crushed, hence the name. Long, narrow clusters of small flowers bloom in the spring, attracting native bees and other pollinators. Bluish-black berries with a white bloom ripen in late summer to fall, and although they are edible to humans, they are rather bland and best left for the birds.

Sun Exposure: Partial shade, full shade
Soil & Moisture: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil.
Mature Size: 3'-10' tall
Bloom Time: Spring
Edible: Yes
Wildlife Value: Attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, hoverflies, and other pollinators. Fruits are eaten by birds and mammals. Browsed by deer.
Native Range & Habitat: Moist coniferous forests, streambanks, and floodplains from low to high elevations. Native to western North America from Alaska, south to California.
Other Names: Blue currant