california buckthorn
Frangula californica
USDA zones7 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial shade
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size6 to 15 feet tall5 to 15 feet wide
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer, autumn, winter
- Bloom color
- White
- Foliage color
- Green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay, chalk
- Soil pH
- Acid, alkaline, neutral
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
California buckthorn (Frangula californica) is a shrub for hedges, xeriscape, woodland edges, and low maintenance gardens. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes full sun to part shade and dry to average soil of most types. The evergreen leaves are shiny light green, and creamy-white flower clusters give way to dark-red berries that attract birds and butterflies. Deer tend to browse other plants first. It grows from 3 to 15 feet tall, so choose a spot with room.
Pairs well with Coast live oak, Smoketree, and New Jersey tea.
Native range
CA and HI.