Frangula californica

Common Names

California Coffeeberry, Coffeeberry, California Buckthorn, California False Buckthorn, California Native Coffeeberry

Summary

California coffeeberry is a drought-tolerant evergreen shrub or small tree native to western North America, typically 4–15 ft tall with a broad, rounded to spreading habit, glossy dark green leaves lighter beneath, reddish new growth, and small greenish-yellow flowers in spring to early summer; fruits are drupes that change from green to red to black and typically contain two seeds, with seeds dispersed by birds and resprouting after fire for resilience in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodland edges on dry slopes.

Growing conditions include sun to partial shade with well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established and hardy to USDA Zone 7, tolerating a range of soils. Common uses include informal hedge or screen, erosion control, and wildlife habitat plantings; flowering supports native pollinators and fruits feed birds. Propagation is mainly by seed or cuttings, and pruning is easy for shaping and maintenance.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-15 feet

Spread

4-6 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 7-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained soil; tolerates a wide range of soils, including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, with a pH of 5.0–8.0.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soils

Soil pH

5.0-8.0

Bloom Color

Green, White, Yellow-green

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Dark green foliage, paler beneath.

Fall Foliage Color

Evergreen; no fall foliage color

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, root crown sprouts

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, birds