Alder Buckthorn

Rhamnus Frangula Hedging

Alder Buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula, is a native country hedging plant that will grow on wet, boggy sites and thrives on acidic peat. It tolerates partial shade well.
Alder Buckthorn is good for hedges up to about 5 metres high.
Browse all of our other varieties of Buckthorn hedge plants for sale. Alternatively, view our selection of native hedging or see our full range of hedging plants.

Alder Buckthorn hedge plants are only delivered bareroot, during winter (Nov-March).

Choosing a size:
Using 60/80cms high plants means you'll quickly get a taller hedge or achieve an instant impact as an ornamental shrub.

All our hedge plants are measured by their height in centimetres above the ground (the roots aren't measured).

Spacing an Alder Buckthorn hedge:
Plant Alder Buckthorn hedging at 3 plants per metre, 33cms apart.
You can also plant Alder Buckthorn at 5 plants per metre in a staggered double row, with 33 cms between each plant along the row and 40cms between the rows.

General description of Alder Buckthorn plants:
Alder Buckthorn, Rhamnus frangula is a large native shrub or small tree that is great for country hedging. It produces red berries in the spring that mature and darken to almost black in autumn (Thrushes love them), which contrasts well with its lovely yellow autumn foliage. It is an excellent host for bees and butterflies, although the tiny flowers aren't really visible amongst the leaves. It isn't the most ornamental shrub, but it is excellent for wildlife.

History & uses of Rhamnus frangula:
Recently, botanists have determined that Rhamnus frangula really belongs in its own genus and it is now officially called Frangula alnus, although most books don't seem to have adopted the new name yet. The charcoal made from buckthorn wood is one of the best for making gunpowder. Along with Purging Buckthorn, this plant is the only food source for the beautiful yellow brimstone butterfly.