Photo of Frangula californica flower, foliage by Evangele19

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Buy Frangula californica

Also Known As

  • Rhamnus californica
  • California Buckthorn
  • California Coffeeberry

Plant type

shrub

size

  • H: 5'
  • W: 5'

planting zones

  • 7a-9b

2 inch wide, 4-6 inch deep tube | $19.95

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Fewer than 16 at Forestfarm

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Frangula californica plant details

Frangula californica is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring green and white flowers emerge followed by black and red fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects and birds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and even moisture - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something for erosion control.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Frangula californica

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: rhamnaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 5 FT wide, 5 FT tall
Flowers: green and white blooms in spring
Uses: fragrant, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Frangula californica

USDA Zones: 7a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - low
Resistant to: erosion
Soil needs: well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This wonderful, dense evergreen 6-10' shrub native to the western Unites States is as lovely as it is useful, deep-green foliage is pale on the undersides and looks great on the red twigs, inconspicuous green flowers in spring become showy (and much appreciated by birds) fruit that turns from red to black; this adaptable easy-care plant makes the perfect native hedge as it is tolerant of drought (clay or sand) and coastal conditions; the seeds make a pleasing caffeine free coffee substitute (with hints of Mocha!) and the fleshy berry surrounding the seed can be made into jam, the leaves have also been used by Native Americans to treat poison oak and the fruit to treat wounds; a very special plant! S-PSh/M-D
An evergreen shrub that grows fast to 6-8?. It is called coffeeberry because its berries contain seeds which look like coffee beans. Coffeeberry is an excellent foliage plant with showy fruit. It's branches take on a beautiful reddish color and has beautiful deep green lustrous leaves, well suited to pruning and landscape work. This makes it an excellent choice for an informal hedge or to create a screen. Tiny flowers attract hummingbirds and native bees in spring. Berries go from green to red to chocolate in fall, and are consumed eagerly by birds. Great for a bird garden and butterfly garden. native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. Caterpillar food source for the Gray Hairstreak and Pale Swallowtail and nectar source for many other butterflies. Berries are food source for many birds, including band-tailed pigeon. Rich nectar and pollen source for bees. The fruit is edible and sweet and was gathered by Native Americans for both food and medicinal usesThe bark has laxative properties similar to its relative cascara. Found in canyons, coastal, slopes. found in sandy and rocky places along the coast. Communitites located in Coastal Strand, Northern Coastal Scrub, Mixed Evergreen Forest, Redwood Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Yellow Pine Forest, Red Fir Forest, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, Joshua Tree Woodland, Creosote Bush Scrub Between 0 and 7545 feet.
Variable shrub that may be upright and sprawling 3-15' or low and spreading when grown on coastal bluffs. Leaves are 1-3" long, shiny dark to dull green and paler beneath. Fragrant greenish-yellow blossoms are inconspicuous but attract a range of insects. Large, showy berries begin to form in summer and mature through a range of colors, green, then red, and finally black when ripe. Tough and adaptable, it is not particular to soil type and needs little water when established. Hardy to 0 °F. Western United States.
Evergreen, oval dark green, glossy leaves, red fruit maturing dark blue . A choice small rounded schrub. Zone 7-9. 5', PNW, part shade-sun, moist-dry

Gardening facts about Frangula californica plant

How to Grow Frangula californica

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • even moisture - drought tolerant
  • Water Needs

    • dry in summer
  • Soil Needs

    • adaptable
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • erosion control

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • white
    • green
  • Wildlife

    • beneficial insects
    • birds
    • bees
  • Fruit

    • red
    • black
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glossy
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