The lemonadeberry is a large, woody shrub native to coastal areas of southern California and northern Baja California. It has thick, waxy green leaves and produces small pink-white flowers in bunches from February to April, followed by pink edible fruits. The lemonadeberry grows well in full sun or partial shade with little water once established and tolerates a variety of soil types and nutrient levels. It requires little maintenance and can be used as a specimen shrub, hedge, or espalier plant.

1. Lemonadeberry – Rhus integrifolia (ROOS [or RUSS] in-teg-ree-FOLE-ee-uh)
Family: Anacardiaceae (Sumac Family)
Native to: Coastal areas of S. CA below Santa Barbara; northern Baja CA. In nature prefers dry
areas in canyons, north-facing slopes and areas that face the ocean.
Growth characteristics: large woody shrub mature height: 2-10 ft mature width: 3-20+ ft
Thick, waxy leaves are shiny green (new growth is red). Trucks and branches are stout. Forms a
dense shrub, spreading with age. Evergreen, even in drought.
Blooms/fruits: Blooms Feb-Apr (usually) in our area. Flowers are small, pink-white, in bunches –
quite pretty close-up. Pink edible fruits ripen in Fall. Can be used to make a lemonade-like drink.
Uses in the garden: Best as a large, attractive specimen shrub. Can also be trimmed as a hedge
or espaliered along a wall or fence. Aromatic. Good for erosion control on dry banks and slopes.
Habitat plant for birds and butterflies.
Sensible substitute for: large, non-native shrubs such as Melaleuka, Photinia, Ficus
Attracts: Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Birds that eat berries include crows, jays, Northern
Flicker and many other fruit-eating birds.
Requirements:
Element Requirement
Sun Full sun in cooler areas; partial shade
Soils Any texture – sandy is fine; acid to alkali soils fine
Water None or occasional summer watering after establishment; very drought and heat
tolerant
Fertilizer None; does fine in nutrient-poor soils
Other Does not do well in high wind areas – brittle wood
Management: Little needed. Can be trained by pruning as hedge or espaliered along a wall or
fence. In nature, may grow as large clumps of several plants. Can cut back to decrease spreading
in the garden – very adaptable.
Propagation: From seed: planting fresh seed is best. Requires hot water treatment (24 hr soak).
By cuttings: best by suckers or root cuttings harvested in winter.
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1-3, 7-10, 12-14, 16, 17, 19, 21, 24-28 11/30/10
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