Rhamnus ilicifolia

Also Known As

Rhamnus crocea ssp. ilicifolia
Hollyleaf Redberry

Plant type

shrub, perennial

size

H: 12'-15'
W: 6'-8'

planting zones

7a-10b

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Rhamnus ilicifolia plant details

Rhamnus ilicifolia is a broadleaf evergreen perennial shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer chartreuse and yellow flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, rich and rocky soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Rhamnus ilicifolia

Plant type: perennial shrub
Plant family: rhamnaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 6 FT - 8 FT - wide, 12 FT - 15 FT - tall
Flowers: chartreuse and yellow blooms in spring and summer
Uses: cut leaves, spiky

GROWING CONDITIONS for Rhamnus ilicifolia

USDA Zones: 7a - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - low
Resistant to: deer
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, rich and rocky

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Fast growing, handsome, evergreen shrub, often treelike, to 15 ft. high. A good plant for dry banks and informal screens in hot, dry areas (takes well to pruning). Has attractive holly-like leaves and ornamental red berries in the fall. All Rhamnus species attract butterflies & beneficial insects. Songbirds, including the California Bluebird, Mockingbird, Phainopepla, and California Thrasher, relish the fruits & swarm the shrubs when the berries are ripe. Native to California and is also found outside of California, but is confined to western North America. The fruit provides food for many birds The berries were eaten & used for medicine by Native peoples. The bark was once exported & sold as a laxative. Found in chaparral and wooded areas. Communitites located in Chaparral, montane forests Between 0 and 6561 feet.

By: The Watershed Nursery

Hollyleaf Redberry. A pretty good name for this southern OR to CA, NV and AZ native. We were lucky to score seedlings a couple of years ago from an Oregon-sourced population and these have good hardiness. Evergreen with small yellowish flowers and showy red berries.

By: Far Reaches Farm

Garden photo gallery of Rhamnus ilicifolia

Photo of Rhamnus ilicifolia foliage by The Watershed Nursery

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By: The Watershed Nursery

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Gardening facts about Rhamnus ilicifolia plant

How to Grow Rhamnus ilicifolia

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly sun
Water Needs
- regular - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry in summer
Soil Needs
- clay
- adaptable
- average
- rich
- rocky
- gritty

Features

Foliage Color
- green
Flower Color
- yellow
- chartreuse
Wildlife
- beneficial insects
- birds
- bees
- butterflies
- deer resistant
Fruit
- red
Flower Season
- summer
- spring
Foliage Season
- evergreen
Texture
- glossy

Landscape groups by tags

See other plant types of Rhamnus for your garden

Rhamnus alaternus 'Argenteovariegata'

aka Rhamnus alaternus 'Variegata', Rhamnus alaternus var. angustifolia 'Argenteovariegata', Italian Buckthorn, Variegated Italian Buckthorn

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

7a-10b

Size

Height: 8'-10'

Width: 4'-10'

sun - mostly shade
regular - occasional
dry in summer

Photo of Rhamnus alaternus 'Argenteovariegata' form by wallygrom

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Frangula alnus 'Ron Williams' PP14791

aka Rhamnus asplenifolia 'Fine Line', Rhamnus frangula 'Asplenifolia', Rhamnus frangula 'Fine Line', Rhamnus frangula 'Ron Williams', Asplenifolia Alder Buckthorn, Cutleaf Buckthorn