Italian Buckthorn

Italian Buckthorn facts

Name – Rhamnus alternus
Family – Rhamnaceae
Type – shrub

Height – 10 to 16 feet (3 to 5 meters)
Exposure – full sun, part sun
Soil – ordinary

Foliage – evergreen
Flowering – March to May

Planting Italian Buckthorn

Plant in spring preferably.
If you plant in fall, you might constrain its proper development and regrowth, especially if the winter is harsh in your area.

Pruning Italian Buckthorn

If your Italian buckthorn becomes invasive, feel free to cut it back: it won’t suffer from it.
Follow our advice on pruning shrubs

Comments on Italian Buckthorn

Italian buckthorn makes for easy growing and doesn’t require any particular attention.
Its blooming clearly isn’t spectacular, but it has the advantage of producing cute little black drupes at the end of summer.
Make a note that these cute drupes which can look like fruits to children are actually poisonous.

Smart tip about Italian buckthorn

When purchasing it, check or ask about the variety: some of them are deciduous and will lose their leaves.

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