Carolina Buckthorn
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Frangula caroliniana
The Carolina buckthorn is a deciduous tree or shrub that can grow 12-15 ft. tall. Its leaves stay green until late fall, and it produces small, yellow flowers in clusters at the bases of the leaves during May and June. The flowers could be more showy. This plant also produces fleshy fruit that is red when ripe and black when mature, measuring about 1/4 inch in diameter.
Many songbirds and other wildlife eat the berries of the Carolina buckthorn. While the berries may have medicinal properties, they can also be toxic. Despite its name, this species does not have spines. The plant was named after South Carolina, where it was first discovered.
Carolina buckthorn is commonly found in the understory and has bright green leaves. It can stand alone as a specimen plant and is attractive to several bird species due to its colorful red fruits. In the fall, the fruits turn black. When grown in light shade, the Carolina buckthorn has an airy, tiered appearance, similar to flowering dogwoods. It requires a minimum of three to four hours of sunlight per day. However, it may become dense and shrubby if it receives less sun, losing some of its appeal. This plant often produces an abundance of seedlings.
Height: 12’-15’
Spread: 12’-15’
Bloom: May-June
Light: Part Shade, Dappled Shade
Water: Medium
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Texas
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
