Search the Plant Library
Localize It!
By providing your zipcode, we can custom tailor your experience!
Palette Builder
Grab, Drag 'n Drop any Additional Image to the box below or click the 
icon to add.
- Common Name: Mound San Bruno Coffeeberry
- Botanical Name: Rhamnus californica 'Mound San Bruno'
- Family: Rhamnaceae
- Origin: United States
- California Native: Yes
- Plant Type: Shrubs
- Foliage Type: Evergreen
- CA Plant Climate Zone: 4-9, 14-24
- Winter Hardiness: 10-15° F
- Exposure:Sun to Shade
- Irrigation:
Low Water Needs - WUCOLS Rating:
Regions 1 2 3 4 5 6 L L VL L / M Based on Your Location - Height: 4-5 feet
- Width: 4-5 feet
- Flower Color: Insignificant
- Tags: backbone shrub, evergreen, native, berries
About This Plant
Currently experiencing an identity makeover with a revised botanical name (changing to Frangula californica), this tough evergreen shrub is fast becoming a popular backbone of many native landscapes. Growing in a variety of soils, this plant will quickly thrive in well-drained soil and even tolerate (slowly but surely) adobe clay. MSB Coffeeberry also tolerates a wide range of irrigation and exposure. Dark green foliage bears insignificant flowers and berries that morph from green to red to black. Try using this plant (or other Coffeeberry varieties) in place of Rhaphiolepis, Pittosporum or other common California landscape shrubs. Local insects and animals will benefit from this important food source.
California Coffeeberry is a large, evergreen, mounding shrub found on open slopes and shaded canyons along the coastal foothills of California. Growing to 15 feet tall and as wide, the large, fleshy berries turn from green to red to black as they ripen. Adaptable to many soils and to moisture, plant Coffeeberries in full sun or part shade. A beautiful foundation shrub, slope plant, screen, parkway or border plant, this is a promising landscape shrub. California Coffeeberry should replace thirsty, exotic shrubs like Carissa, Cotoneaster, Ligustrum, Myoporum, Oleander, Photinia, Pittosporum, Raphiolepis and Xylosma. Providing excellent wildlife habitat, its berries attract foraging and nesting songbirds.
| Information provided in collaboration with: |  |
