Local Ecotype
Large shrub or small tree, to 15’
Part sun to part shade
Moist to medium
Blooms in early summer, black berries in fall
Carolina Buckthorn is an attractive upright shrub or small tree that produces glossy green leaves and small fruit that ripens from red to black. Despite its name, it lacks any thorns whatsoever. The small berries, which ripen in early fall, are too bitter to be palatable to humans, but are eaten by a variety of songbirds. This species produces fruit rather quickly, often after reaching roughly 6 feet in height.
Carolina Buckthorn may grow as an understory tree in moist forests or in openings on drier ridges and slopes. It can be planted in full sun to part shade in average soil, but is often tolerant of gravelly or sandy soil. When planted in sun, it is often shorter and shrubbier, while those in the forest understory tend to stretch and be more treelike in shape.
Local Ecotype
Large shrub or small tree, to 15’
Part sun to part shade
Moist to medium
Blooms in early summer, black berries in fall
Carolina Buckthorn is an attractive upright shrub or small tree that produces glossy green leaves and small fruit that ripens from red to black. Despite its name, it lacks any thorns whatsoever. The small berries, which ripen in early fall, are too bitter to be palatable to humans, but are eaten by a variety of songbirds. This species produces fruit rather quickly, often after reaching roughly 6 feet in height.
Carolina Buckthorn may grow as an understory tree in moist forests or in openings on drier ridges and slopes. It can be planted in full sun to part shade in average soil, but is often tolerant of gravelly or sandy soil. When planted in sun, it is often shorter and shrubbier, while those in the forest understory tend to stretch and be more treelike in shape.