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    • Photo of Frangula californica ssp. tomentella foliage by Cistus Nursery

    Photo by Cistus Nursery

    Used with permission, all rights reserved

    Show all photos

    Frangula californica ssp. tomentella

    Also Known As

    • Rhamnus californica ssp. tomentella
    • Rhamnus californica ssp. tomentella
    • Rhamnus tomentella
    • Coffeeberry
    • Hoary Coffeeberry

    Plant type

    shrub

    size

    • H: 6'-8'
    • W: 6'-8'

    planting zones

    • 7a-11

    Frangula californica ssp. tomentella plant details

    Frangula californica ssp. tomentella is a broadleaf evergreen shrub with blue foliage. In spring and summer cream, white and yellow flowers emerge followed by black, purple and red fruit. Features fuzzy and glossy texture. Attracts bees, beneficial insects and birds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Does well in average, lean, rich and well-drained soil.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Frangula californica ssp. tomentella

    Plant type: shrub
    Plant family: rhamnaceae
    Foliage: evergreen blue
    Mature size: 6 FT - 8 FT - wide, 6 FT - 8 FT - tall
    Flowers: cream, white and yellow blooms in spring and summer
    Uses: xeric

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Frangula californica ssp. tomentella

    USDA Zones: 7a - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
    Watering frequency: occasional - low
    Soil needs: average, lean, rich and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Like its sisters, this medium-tall shrub from the dry Sierra foothills would make a fine drought-resistant hedge; the downiness of its leaves (on mature plants) gives them a silvery look. S/M-D/GDr

    By: Forestfarm

    Lovely variant of our native West Coast buckthorn from the Siskiyou mountains, eventually growing to 6-8 ft and evergreen with furry, silver-green leaves the texture and color of velour. For the summer dry garden with lean soil in half to full sun. Decorative berries, produced in the fall, are red, ripening to black, both colors existing side by side. Frost hardy to the bottom of USDA zone 8.

    By: Cistus Nursery

    Gardening facts about Frangula californica ssp. tomentella plant

    How to Grow Frangula californica ssp. tomentella

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly shade

    • Water Needs

      • occasional - drought tolerant

    • Water Needs

      • dry in summer

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • lean
      • well-drained
      • rich

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • blue

    • Flower Color

      • white
      • cream
      • yellow

    • Wildlife

      • beneficial insects
      • birds
      • bees

    • Fruit

      • red
      • purple
      • black

    • Flower Season

      • summer
      • spring

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    • Texture

      • glossy
      • fuzzy

    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 '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

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    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
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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

    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
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    More Options

    Frangula purshiana

    aka Rhamnus purshiana, Bearberry, Cascara, Cascara Buckthorn

    Plant Type

    Shrub

    Zones

    6a-9b

    Size

    Height: 20'-50'

    Width: 15'-40'

    • sun - mostly shade
    • regular
    • dry in summer
    Photo of Frangula purshiana foliage by Jesse Taylor
    View Plant

    More Options

    +12 more Frangula
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