Carried by 20 nurseries
View Availability at NurseryData provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria
View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora
Rhamnus crocea is a species of buckthorn (Rhamnaceae). It is endemic to western North America. This evergreen shrub is typically one to two meters in height. R. crocea typically occurs in chaparral and several other vegetation communities below 3,000 ft. The flowers are not showy; this species is planted for the berries. You may need more than one plant to ensure pollination. It is spiny so consider where you place it. The leaves are small, round, dark green on top and brown or yellow on the underside. The berries and small spheres, bright red.
Shrub
3 - 7 ft Tall
7 ft Wide
Upright
Moderate, Slow
Evergreen
White, Yellow, Cream
Spring, Winter
Bank stabilization, Hedge
Full Sun, Partial Shade
Low, Very Low
Max 1x / month once established
Easy
Tolerates cold to 25° F
Medium, Slow
Tolerates clay but prefers well drained soil.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 7.0
Prune to shape in winter after all the berries are gone.
Propagation from Seed: No treatment; 2-2.5 mos. stratification may improve germination.
7*, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 18, 19, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*
Rocky slopes, dry washes and canyons
Chaparral, Foothill Woodland, Northern Oak Woodland, Southern Oak Woodland
Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), Scrub Oak (Quercus berberidifolia), Woolly Bluecurls (Trichostema lanatum), Climbing Penstemon (Keckiella cordifolia), California Encelia (Encelia californica), California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum), Coast Sagebrush (Artemisia californica), Sage (Salvia spp.), Manzanita (Arctostaphylos spp.), Yucca species, Dudleya species and cactus species
Butterflies and moths supported
7 confirmed and 12 likely
Ceanothus Silkmoth
Hyalophora euryalus
Hermes Copper
Lycaena hermes
Ceanothus Nola
Nola minna
Pale Swallowtail
Papilio eurymedon