California Coffeeberry

Frangula californica

Frangula californica

Native Plants A-Z

Alaska Oniongrass (Melica subulata)

Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophila menziesii)

Black Sage (Salvia mellifera)

Blue Elderberry (Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea)

Blue Eyed Grass (Sisyrinchium bellum)

Blue Wildrye (Elymus glaucus)

Blueblossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus)

Bush Monkey Flower (Diplacus aurantiacus)

Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis)

California Bee Plant (Scrophularia californica)

California Brome (Bromus carinatus)

California Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum)

California Coffeeberry (Frangula californica)

California Fescue (Festuca californica)

California Fuchsia (Epilobium canum)

California Hazel (Corylus cornuta californica)

California Hedge Nettle (Stachys bullata)

California Oatgrass (Danthonia californica)

California Phacelia (Phacelia californica)

California Pipevine / California Dutchman’s Pipe

California Poppy (Eschcholzia californica)

California Sagebrush (Artemisia californica)

California Wax Myrtle (Morella californica)

Clarkia (Clarkia unguiculat)

Coast Buckwheat (Eriogonum parvifolium)

Coastal Bush Lupine (Lupinus arborous)

Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)

Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Coyote Mint (Monardella villosa)

Crevice Alumroot (Heuchera micrantha)

Dense Sedge (Carex densa)

Douglas Iris (Iris douglasiana)

Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

False Solomon’s Seal (Maianthemum stellatum)

Firecracker Brodiaea (Dichelostemma ida-maia)

Foothill Sedge (Carex tumulicola)

Fuchsiaflower Gooseberry (Ribes speciosum)

Giant Chain Fern (Woodwardia fimbriata)

Giant Wild Rye (Elymus condensatus)

Golden Currant (Ribes auraum)

Golden Yarrow (Eriophyllum confertiflorum)

Gum Plant (Grindelia hirsutula)

Hooker’s Evening Primrose (Oenothera elata ssp. hookeri)

Hummingbird Sage (Salvia spathacea)

Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis)

Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

Leopard Lily (Lilium pardilinum)

Milkmaids (Cardamine californica, Dentaria californica)

Pacific Aster (Symphyotrichum chilense)

Pacific Hound’s Tongue (Cynoglossum grande)

Seasonal Importance

Wildlife Support

Late-spring flowers support a pollinator guild of native bees, hoverflies, butterflies, and other insects that forage for nectar and pollen
Berries ripen slowly through summer and fall, providing extended food for birds such as California Towhee and Mourning Dove, as well as migratory and winter visitors, including Cedar Waxwing, Hermit Thrush, Varied Thrush, and American Robin
Fruits are eaten by mammals, including gray foxes, raccoons, and coyotes, which help disperse the seeds
Documented larval host for moths such as the Strawberry Crown Moth, supporting food webs for birds and other insectivores
Provides cover for small birds and shelter for ground-dwelling insects

Firewise & Watershed

California Coffeeberry

Frangula californica

KEY DETAILS

Plant Type

Evergreen shrub

Light

Full sun to part shade; performs best with some protection from hot afternoon sun

Soil

Tolerates a wide range of soils, from clay-loam to sandy slopes

Size

Typically 6–12 ft tall and wide; can be maintained smaller with pruning

Bloom Time

May–July; small clusters of yellow-green flowers

Care

Thrives with good drainage and adapts well to varied garden conditions
Drought-tolerant once established
Prune in February (late winter) to maintain shape
When pruning, the technique of coppicing can also be used for rejuvenation — best done by removing no more than one-third of the oldest stems at a time, leaving 6–12 inches above the crown to encourage strong resprouting
Mulch around the base to conserve moisture and protect soil life

Features

Companion Plants

These associations replicate the natural forest-edge community, supporting soil health, seasonal fluctuations, and biodiversity.

Shrub: Blueblossom (Ceanothus thyrsiflorus), Toyon (Heteromeles arbutifolia)
Ground Cover: Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris)
Perennial: Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus), Creek Alumroot (Heuchera micrantha)
Grasses and Sedges: California Fescue (Festuca californica), Idaho Fescue (Festuca idahoensis), California Brome (Bromus carinatus), Foothill Sedge (Carex tumulicola)

Propagation

For most home gardeners, seed propagation is challenging and unreliable, as Coffeeberry requires several months of cold stratification and often has low germination rates.
Taking cuttings is the recommended method:
- Timing: Late summer to early fall is best, when stems are semi-hardwood (firm but not entirely woody).
- Method: Take 4–6-inch cuttings from healthy stems, remove the lower leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone if available.
- Planting: Place in a well-draining medium (sand/perlite + potting soil mix works well), keep evenly moist, and provide light shade.
- Establishment: Rooting may take several weeks to months. Once rooted, transplant the young plants into larger pots and allow them to develop a strong root system before planting them in the garden.

Common Uses

Ecological Maintenance Tips

Sun Exposures per day

Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sun

Part shade: 3-4 hours of direct sun

Part Sun: 5–6 hours of direct sun

Full Sun: Receives 6+ hours of direct sun