Purging Buckthorn Hedge Plants

Rhamnus cathartica: Bareroot Purging Buckthorn Hedging Plants

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Common or Purging Buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica, is a hardy, deciduous spiny native that can be used for country hedging. A large shrub or bushy small tree naturally, it has lush green leaves that clip well into a dense hedge. Purging Buckthorn is good for hedges up to about 6 metres high on any well-drained soil. Browse our other varieties of Buckthorn hedge plants. Alternatively, see our selection of native hedging plants or view our full range of hedging.

Rhamnus cathartica's flowers are green and insignificant, so you won't really notice them, but they attract plenty of bees and butterflies. The abundant small berries are red as they ripen, turning black when they mature in the autumn, which looks good next to the leaves as they turn yellow.

Delivery season: Purging Buckthorn bare-root plants are delivered in winter and are only planted when they are dormant, from November to April. They can be pre-ordered in summer.

Features:

• Size sold: 60-80cm.
• Hedge Height: Up to 6m.
• Soil: All well-drained types.
• Use: Native/country.
• Single Row: 3/m.
• Colour: Deciduous, yellow autumn leaves, red/black berries.
• Best for informal native country hedges.

Growing Purging Buckthorn

Purging Buckthorn will grow well in any moist but well-drained soil, including on shady sites, such as under large trees. It will tolerate chalky soil and coastal sites well, but not waterlogged nor dry shade.

Make sure the planting area is weed-free and enrich soil with well-rotted manure or compost before planting. Keep plants well-watered until established. Trim once a year in winter until the hedge is mature.

Spacing a Purging Buckthorn hedge:
Plant at 3 plants per metre, 33cm apart.
You can also plant Purging Buckthorn at 6 plants per metre in a staggered double row, with 33cm between each plant along the row and 40cm between the rows.

Good in Your Garden

Purging Buckthorn is a great addition to a mixed native hedge if you're looking to attract more wildlife into your garden. A typical country hedge also includes hawthorn, and the more plants you use, the better for the bugs and birds.

If you're looking for plants that ease the transition from a cultivated garden into the wild countryside beyond, this is an excellent choice. Its berries turn red before ripening to black, contrasting with the yellowing of the leaves before they fall.

For an informal yet secure barrier for your garden, Rhamnus cathartica is worth considering, with short shoots often ending in a spine. Add some blackthorn to beef up the thorny factor.