Red Buckthorn: A Mysterious Native Shrub Worth Investigating
If you’ve stumbled across the name red buckthorn (Frangula rubra) in your native plant research, you’re not alone in finding limited information about this elusive species. This perennial shrub represents one of those intriguing gaps in readily available gardening knowledge, making it both mysterious and potentially rewarding for the adventurous native plant enthusiast.
What We Know About Red Buckthorn
Frangula rubra is a native perennial shrub that belongs to the buckthorn family. Like other members of its genus, it’s a multi-stemmed woody plant that typically grows less than 13-16 feet tall, though it can potentially reach greater heights under ideal conditions. Multiple stems usually arise from or near ground level, giving it that classic shrub appearance we’re familiar with in native landscaping.
Where Does Red Buckthorn Grow?
This native species calls the western United States home, specifically California and Nevada. Its limited geographic range might explain why information about this particular species is harder to come by compared to its more widespread cousins in the Frangula family.
The Information Gap Challenge
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit frustrating): despite being a native species, detailed cultivation information for Frangula rubra specifically is surprisingly scarce. This could mean several things:
- It might be a very specialized species with limited distribution
- It could be taxonomically complex, with some sources using different names
- It may not be commonly cultivated, even in native plant circles
Should You Plant Red Buckthorn?
Given the limited available information, we’d recommend proceeding with caution. While its native status is promising, the lack of widely available cultivation data suggests this might not be the easiest species to grow successfully. Here’s what we suggest:
- Contact local native plant societies in California and Nevada for firsthand experience
- Reach out to botanical gardens or universities in the region
- Consider well-documented Frangula species as alternatives
Better-Known Alternatives
If you’re drawn to the buckthorn family for your native landscape, consider these well-documented alternatives that offer similar benefits:
- California buckthorn (Frangula californica) – excellent for wildlife and well-suited to Mediterranean climates
- Cascara buckthorn (Frangula purshiana) – if you’re in the Pacific Northwest
The Bottom Line
Red buckthorn represents one of those fascinating native species that reminds us how much we still have to learn about our native flora. While we can’t provide detailed growing instructions due to limited available information, its native status makes it worth investigating if you’re in California or Nevada and passionate about supporting truly local ecosystems.
Sometimes the most rewarding native gardening adventures come from working with lesser-known species, but they also require more research, patience, and potentially some trial and error. If you decide to pursue Frangula rubra, consider yourself a pioneer in native plant cultivation!
