Plant Lust
ShopOrderSellblog
0

  • Plant types

  • Plant styles

  • Planting conditions

  • Seasonal interest

  • Nurseries & Gardens

    • Photo of Frangula rubra fruit by Dcrjsr

    Photo by Dcrjsr

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

    Show all photos

    Buy Frangula rubra

    Also Known As

    • Sierra Coffeeberry

    Plant type

    shrub

    size

    • H: 4'-8'
    • W: 4'-8'

    planting zones

    • 6a-10b

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

    Buy button links to nursery site for checkout

    Fewer than 3 at Forestfarm

    More Options

    Frangula rubra plant details

    Frangula rubra is a broadleaf deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring green flowers emerge followed by black, purple and red fruit. Attracts bees, beneficial insects, birds and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - dappled shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, gritty, rich, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Frangula rubra

    Plant type: shrub
    Plant family: rhamnaceae
    Foliage: deciduous or semi-evergreen green
    Mature size: 4 FT - 8 FT - wide, 4 FT - 8 FT - tall
    Flowers: green blooms in spring

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Frangula rubra

    USDA Zones: 6a - 10b
    Sun exposure: sun - dappled shade
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Resistant to: heat
    Soil needs: average, gritty, rich, rocky and well-drained

    We independently publish plant data to search multiple nurseries at once. We may earn a commission on qualifying purchases when you buy through our links.

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    This excellent western native becomes a spreading or rounded, 4-8' shrub with showy red to gray bark and twigs. Its pretty gray-green deciduous leaves can be smooth or finely toothed and they turn a brilliant bright-yellow in autumn. Spring brings umbels of small, greenish-white, star- shaped flowers. Fruit is a small but showy black drupe containing two seeds. Sierra coffeeberry is found growing in many habitats; from damp stoney slopes to forest and chaparral from eastern California to western Nevada. S/M

    By: Forestfarm

    Gardening facts about Frangula rubra plant

    How to Grow Frangula rubra

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - dappled shade

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • adaptable
      • average
      • well-drained
      • rich
      • rocky
      • gritty

    • Special Situation

      • heat tolerant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • green

    • Flower Color

      • green

    • Wildlife

      • beneficial insects
      • birds
      • bees
      • butterflies

    • Fruit

      • red
      • purple
      • black

    • Flower Season

      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • deciduous
      • semi-evergreen

    Landscape groups by tags

    See other plant types of Frangula for your garden

    Frangula californica

    aka Rhamnus californica, California Buckthorn, California Coffeeberry

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-9b

    Size

    Height: 5'

    Width: 5'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • even moisture - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Frangula californica flower, foliage by Evangele19
    View Plant

    Frangula californica ssp. tomentella

    aka Rhamnus californica ssp. tomentella, Rhamnus californica ssp. tomentella, Rhamnus tomentella, Coffeeberry, Hoary Coffeeberry

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7a-11

    Size

    Height: 6'-8'

    Width: 6'-8'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Frangula californica ssp. tomentella foliage by Cistus Nursery
    View Plant

    Frangula californica 'Eve Case'

    aka Rhamnus californica 'Eve Case', Eve Case Italian Buckthorn

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    7b-10b

    Size

    Height: 6'-10'

    Width: 6'-10'

    • sun
    • occasional - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Frangula californica 'Eve Case' foliage by Cistus Nursery
    View Plant

    More Options

    Frangula californica 'Mound San Bruno'

    aka Frangula 'Mound San Bruno', Rhamnus californica 'Mound San Bruno', Mound San Bruno Coffeeberry, San Bruno Coffeeberry

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    8a-10b

    Size

    Height: 3'-6'

    Width: 3'-6'

    • sun - mostly sun
    • regular - drought tolerant
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Frangula californica 'Mound San Bruno' flower by Forestfarm
    View Plant

    More Options

    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

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    3a-9b

    Size

    Height: 6'-10'

    Width: 3'-10'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular - drought tolerant
    Photo of Frangula alnus 'Ron Williams' PP14791 foliage, form by Danger Garden
    View Plant

    More Options

    +12 more Frangula
    Mailing List
    Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

    © 2010—2026 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved