Lycium carolinianum aka Christmasberry

Lycium carolinianum is known as Christmas berry or Carolina desert-thorn. This shrub belongs to the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its native range spans the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Cuba. It grows on coastal dunes and sandy shell mounds. It also grows beside ponds, salt marshes, and waterways.

In gardens, it reaches 4–8 feet (1.2–2.4 metres) tall. Its spread reaches 3–6 feet (0.9–1.8 metres). Some plants reach 10 feet (3 metres) in height. The shrub has a vase-shaped form and grows at a moderate rate. Stiff branches end in sharp thorns. Thin young twigs have a gray or silver color. Small, fleshy green leaves grow in an alternate pattern. They have smooth edges and narrow, spoon-like shapes. Leaves measure less than 0.17 feet (0.05 metres) long. The plant can keep its leaves through the year. Dry spells can cause leaf loss, followed by new growth after rain.

Flowers appear in summer and fall, with autumn bloom described in detail. Each flower grows alone where a leaf meets the stem. Slender stalks hold blue, white, or lavender flowers with purple marks. Bees pollinate the flowers, which have both male and female parts. Glossy red berries follow, ripening in late fall or early winter. Birds eat the ripe fruit. The berries help give the shrub interest into winter.

Grow this shrub in full sun or partial shade. Shade makes its growth sparse and its crown more open. It accepts sand, loam, and clay across acidic to alkaline conditions. It grows on drained sites and tolerates wet ground, including long flooding. It also withstands salt spray and drought. UF/IFAS lists USDA hardiness zones 7b–11. PFAF reports hardiness to UK zone 8. That rating does not establish an RHS hardiness grade.

Use it as a border, specimen, or coastal planting. It also suits containers and raised planters. Training can produce a small tree with several trunks. Its roots can help hold banks in place. Shoots from the roots and trunk base can form thickets. Remove these shoots to keep a tidy shape. It may spread into nearby gardens. UF/IFAS reports few major growing problems and little lasting pest harm. PFAF lists fully ripe fruit as edible, raw or cooked. It describes a mildly salty taste. It reports no confirmed toxicity for this species. Still, it urges caution with leaves and unripe fruit.