Rhamnus cathartica - Common Buckthorn  - €12 per plant

Common Buckthorn is a robust and cold hardy shrub that attracts a wealth of wildlife. It takes well to trimming and works well as a hedge. It's considered invasive in parts of the US, but grown in its native region is quite attractive and can be used for a variety of purposes including hedging, privacy screen, windbreak and backdrop for perennial plantings. To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia
  • native habitat: scrub, hedges and woodland 
  • family: Rhamnaceae

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or full sun
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline a
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 - 7
  • Prefers a dry or moist calcareous soil

Known hazards 

  • The fruit is purgative and is mildly poisonous. Other parts of the plant may also be poisonous.​

Overview


  • Deciduous shrub growing to 6m x 3m at a medium rate. ​
  • It is in flower in May - June, and the seeds ripen in October. 
  • The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female)vbut only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required)
  • The plant is not self fertile
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun. It prefers dry or moist soil. 

Characteristics

  • form: medium sized shrub/small tree
  • layer : shrub/lower canapy
  • habit: shrub,buds form on long stalks
  • height x width (m): 6m x 3m  

Products 

  • Fruit: Purple-black berries (drupes), 6-10mm in diameter. The berries have been used for their purgative effect upon the body in the past but as they can cause a severe laxative effect they are not use much today. The seeds within the fruit are dispersed by birds. A green dye is obtained from the immature fruit.
  • Flowers:Yellow-green with four petals, and are pollinated by insects. 
  • Leaves: Glossy, dark green, toothed leaves turning a nice shade of yellow before falling in autumn.
  • Wood: Bark sometimes used in herbal medicine as a laxative, but not widely recommended! A yellow dye is obtained from the bark

Functions, behaviors


  • Plants have a very shallow root system
  • A good bee plant and a main food plant for the brimstone butterfly
  • Forms dense thickets if left undisturbed.
  • Blackthorn tolerates most soils, except very acidic ones, but does not do well if heavily shaded
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project