Ribes californicum

Ribes californicum, Hillside Gooseberry is a deciduous shrub with white-purple flowers in Feb.-Mar.. Hillside Gooseberry is native to the coast ranges. The Southern  California form is Ribes californicum hesperium. It doesn't seem different from the straight species.

Hillside Gooseberry likes part shade away from the coast. A refined-looking gooseberry. Birds like the berries. Plant is thorny, do not put next to a walkway, but useful for cover for the birds from the neighborhood cats. Excellent background plant in a bird garden, wildlife habitat,or woodland garden.

Native bees are largely on their own (no colonies) and behave just like a small hummingbird. They ward off other beeflies, and come over and check out the photographer. No biggy, they just wonder what you are with that big eye in front. The hummingbirds and butterflies working the same plant do the same thing.

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