Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Indian Cherry; Carolina Buckthorn

Frangula caroliniana
Plant Type: Shrubs
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest: Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost)
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Orange, Yellow

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Sun Exposure 
Full Sun, Medium Sun/Average Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Food/Birds
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

15 to
20
feet

Spread:

10 to
15
feet
Size
Height: 15 to
20
feet
Spread: 10 to
15
feet
Size
Height: 15 to
20
feet
Spread: 10 to
15
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Specimen, shrub border, hedgerow or screen. Use along the edge of a woodland and to attract birds.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Grow in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soils.
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description

Handsome shrub or small tree with dark, shiny green leaves and beautiful, sweet, round fruit that turns from red to black. Fruit ripens from August-October. Fall foliage is yellow to orange-yellow and sometimes lasts into winter.

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

What’s the Next Step?

Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!

Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

Support the Grow Native! Program
Skip to content