Hello, Jason, and thank you for your interesting question to Ask a Master Gardener/AskExtension!

I have been researching your question to find reliable information from research-based sites. Although I have found a great deal of info, none of it directly answers your question.

I am reaching out to other experts associated with the Extension offices for assistance. When I hear back, I will reopen this question and let you know what was discovered. Meanwhile, here is a summary of what I found, although your question leads me to believe that you probably already have this information. I’ve also included links to the best of the sites that I discovered.

Black currants Ribes nigrum, were commonly grown in the US through the 19^th century. In the late 1800’s it was discovered that they were a host plant for a fungus (Cronartium ribicola) that caused White Pine Blister Rust (WPBR), a disease that decimated pine forests. In 1911 a national law was enacted that prohibited the planting of Ribus nigrum, and an eradication program was put forth. Red currants and gooseberries were not host plants and were not included in the ban. In 1966 the law was repealed, but some states including Ohio, maintained a ban on Ribes nigrum,. Meanwhile white pines and black currant plants resistant to the fungus were developed.

In Ohio six varieties of black currant have been exempted from the ban due to their resistance to the fungus namely Consort, Coronet, Crusader, Titania, Lowes Auslese, Polar and Willoughby. Red currants and gooseberries have been permitted as always.

My difficulty in answering your question comes from the following:

-Ribes aurea, aka Ribes odoratum (Many say they are the same variety; some say not. The jury is still out.) is a golden currant. There is no mention of golden currants either in the banned or exempted plants.

- Ribes aurea and odoratum are known to be alternate hosts for the fungus that causes WPBR.

- There appears to be a “Crandall” variety of both R. odoratum and R. nigrum.

- The most recent reliable articles I can locate about the ban on Ribes are from about 2010. The current (no pun intended) list of Ohio “forbidden” plants from 2023 does not mention Ribes at all, which makes me wonder.

I understand that is not of much help to you. I will continue to seek an answer to your question and will be in touch soon in any event.

Best wishes!

References for you:

Ohio State University Extension – Ohioline January, 2010 - White Pine Blister Rust https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-3205 The current Ohio law (Regulation AG-71-85.01) to suppress and control White Pine Blister Rust Disease is as follows:

The European black currant, Ribes nigrum L. or any variety of this species is hereby declared to be a public nuisance, and it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, transport, plant, propagate, sell, or offer for sale, plants, roots, scions, seeds, or cuttings of these plants in this state.

Recognized varieties, e.g., "Consort" produced by the hybridization of Ribes nigrum L. or a variety thereof with a resistant or immune species, known to be immune or highly resistant to the White Pine Blister Rust fungus, (Cronartium ribicola, Fischer) are exempt from the restrictions imposed by paragraph (A) above.

Note: Ohio law does not prohibit the planting of red currants or gooseberries within the state.

National Plant Board, Ohio Summary of Plant Protection Regulations. https://www.nationalplantboard.org/uploads/1/3/6/7/136771235/final_ohio_npb_law_summary_-_july_2023.pdf

Register of Ohio prohibited plants https://www.registerofohio.state.oh.us/pdfs/901/5/30/901$5-30-01_PH_FF_N_RU_20171228_1105.pdf

Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder - https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=262189&isprofile=1&basic=Ribes%20odoratum Although much less so than with black currants (Ribes nigrum), clove currants are an alternative host for white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola), a usually fatal disease for white pines. Ten states currently maintain various types of bans on Ribes species plants.

USDA Plant Guide ‘Golden Currant’ https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_riauv.pdf Golden currant is an alternate host for white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola); this and other species of Ribes have been targets of various eradication efforts where white pine is of commercial interest.

Library of Congress – American Black Currants https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2022/10/americas-blackcurrant-ban/

University of Wisconsin https://uncommonfruit.cias.wisc.edu/american-black-currant-clove-currant/

Raintree Nursery https://help.raintreenursery.com/hc/en-us/articles/<personal data hidden>613-Ribes-spp-Currant-State-Restrictions-Permit-Requirements Ohio: MATERIALS REGULATED: All varieties of black currant, Ribes nigrum.RESTRICTIONS: Seven varieties (Consort, Coronet, Crusader, Titania, Lowes Auslese, Polar and Willoughby) have been shown to be immune and can be shipped into Ohio. All other varieties of black currant are prohibited.

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Hello, again, Jason!

I have fantastic news. I’ve received information regarding your Ribes odoratum query.

A professor from Ohio State University College of Horticulture and Crop Science responded to my inquiry. He reports that, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, all Ribes varieties have been removed from the Ohio banned plant list and can be freely planted in Ohio.

Happy gardening! I hope you enjoy your Crandall Clove Currant for many years to come. I just might need to plant one in my own garden. They sound magnificent.

Thank you for your patience and thank you for your question to Ask a Master Gardener/Ask Extension. If you have a moment, we would appreciate it greatly if you could complete the survey at the very end of this email. I promise it is very short.

You are most welcomed!