Prickly currant is a short shrub of moist forest and streamside habitats.  It likes water and it likes shade. The flowers aren't overtly showy, but they do bloom early in the season and are vital for pollinators when other food sources are scarce. In the late summer it produces strings of black, plump berries that wildlife will enjoy. 
 
These shrubs do have little prickles, so they're probably not the best choice next to paths and patios. However it does make them *slightly* less palatable to deer, especially after new growth has hardened. They are good choices for shady areas with sprinkler overspray or roof runoff, and they tend to be well-behaved, especially when planted with a diverse set of companions such as mitrewort, violets, spirea, thimbleberry, twinberry, or western coneflower.