Description

Coffeeberry grows throughout California’s Mediterranean climate zone, extending into Oregon, the Southwest and northern Baja, Mexico. Botanists have identified six subspecies. The tomentella and californica subspecies are the most widespread, and are the only two to occur in Santa Clara County. The tomentella subspecies seems somewhat more common in hotter portions of their common range. It is the only subspecies found in Mexico. The hoary coffeeberry may be easily distinguished from the other subspecies by the fine hairs on the underside of the leaves. Hoary coffeeberry has a grayer appearance than other subspecies, with dusky leaves over gray-red bark. It grows slowly to about eight feet tall and wide, usually with multiple trunks. Hoary coffeeberry is an adaptable local shrub suitable for almost any part of the garden with adequate space.