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Redberry Buckthorn

Rhamnus crocea

Redberry buckthorn is a stiff, spiny California evergreen shrub with tiny holly-like leaves and bright red berries that feed birds. Exceptionally drought- and heat-tolerant for dry chaparral gardens.

Family
Rhamnaceae
Type
shrub
Lifespan
perennial
Height
2–6 ft
Spacing
3–6 ft apart
Light
sun
Soil moisture
dry
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Bloom
March, April
Bloom colors
green, yellow
Wildlife value
songbirds, pollinators, larval host
Caterpillar hosts
~10 butterfly & moth species
Landscape uses
hedge or screen, foundation
Native states
AZ, CA