Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
Also listed as Rhamnus californica
Also known as California Coffeeberry, California Buckthorn
Climate Match for your location
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A California native shrub with small white flowers and decorative red berries that turn black when ripe. Hardy, drought-tolerant, and attractive to wildlife.
Why grow it
Coffeeberry offers a native alternative to non-native ornamental shrubs in western gardens, combining wildlife value with low water needs once established. Unlike many drought-tolerant natives, it produces fruit that persists through color changes, extending visual interest across seasons. Its tolerance for both sun and partial shade makes it more flexible than some California natives that demand specific light conditions.
Watch out for
This plant can take several years to reach productive maturity, so patience is needed before substantial berry crops appear. In areas with consistent summer moisture or poor drainage, monitor for fungal issues common to Frangula species, particularly in humid microclimates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California native
Native to: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A California native shrub with small white flowers and decorative red berries that turn black when ripe. Hardy, drought-tolerant, and attractive to wildlife.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Coffeeberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Coffeeberry offers a native alternative to non-native ornamental shrubs in western gardens, combining wildlife value with low water needs once established. Unlike many drought-tolerant natives, it produces fruit that persists through color changes, extending visual interest across seasons. Its tolerance for both sun and partial shade makes it more flexible than some California natives that demand specific light conditions.
Watch out for
This plant can take several years to reach productive maturity, so patience is needed before substantial berry crops appear. In areas with consistent summer moisture or poor drainage, monitor for fungal issues common to Frangula species, particularly in humid microclimates.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
California native
Native to: Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon
Seasonality
Harvest Season
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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