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Frangula caroliniana

Carolina buckthorn

Rhamnaceae

Southeastern and south-central United States

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 5–9

Overview

Frangula caroliniana, the Carolina buckthorn, is a deciduous large shrub or small tree in the Rhamnaceae, typically 10-30 feet (3-9 m) tall and 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) wide, with an open, often multi-stemmed form and slender, arching branches. The alternate leaves are elliptic to oblong, 2-6 inches (5-15 cm) long, glossy green, with 8-12 pairs of straight, parallel side veins, and they turn yellow to orange-red in autumn. Small greenish-white five-petalled flowers open in late spring to early summer in clusters along the new growth. These are followed by round drupes about 0.3 inch (8 mm) wide that ripen from red to black in late summer and autumn, often showing both colours on the same branch. Birds eat the fruit and spread the seed. It grows in moist woodland, on streambanks, bluffs, and limestone soils, tolerating both sun and shade. Unlike the invasive common buckthorn, it spreads modestly. The bark and fruit contain anthraquinone compounds that act as a strong laxative and cause stomach upset if eaten.

Native Range

Native to the southeastern and south-central United States, from Virginia and the Ohio valley south to Florida and west to Texas. It grows in moist woods, along streams and bluffs, and on limestone and other base-rich soils, in both bottomlands and upland slopes.

Suggested Uses

Used as a small specimen tree, screen, or large shrub in native and woodland gardens and wildlife plantings, spaced 10-15 feet (3-4.5 m) apart. The glossy foliage, two-tone fruit, and autumn colour suit naturalistic and bird-friendly borders. The laxative fruit makes it less suited to areas used by young children or pets.

How to Identify

Recognised by glossy elliptic leaves with 8-12 pairs of straight, parallel veins, greenish flowers without showy petals, and drupes that ripen red then black, often together on the same cluster. The toothless or finely toothed leaf margins and unarmed twigs separate it from true Rhamnus spp. buckthorns, which often bear spine-tipped branches.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height10' - 30'

Width/Spread10' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring Summer

Greenish-white flowers open in late spring to early summer, mainly May and June, in small clusters among the new leaves. The flowers are inconspicuous and last two to three weeks. Fruit follows through summer, colouring red and then black into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

glossy green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay rocky

Drainageaverage

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soil over a wide pH range of about 6.0-8.0, including limestone and clay soils. Established plants tolerate short drought and a range of light, flowering and fruiting more heavily in sun. It needs little feeding and is generally free of serious pests. Propagation is from cleaned seed sown after cold stratification or from softwood cuttings. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9.

Pruning

Pruned in late winter while dormant to remove dead or crossing branches and to lift or shape the crown. It tolerates renewal pruning and can be cut back hard to keep it shrubby. Suckers and low growth are removed to train a single-trunk small tree.

Pruning Schedule

winter