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Frangula alnus

alder buckthorn

© RHS 2002
Sold by 17 nurseries

  • Other common names alder buckthorn
    black alder

  • Family Rhamnaceae

  • Genus Frangula can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or trees, with simple leaves that often colour well in autumn, and tiny yellowish flowers followed by red or black fruit

  • Details F. alnus is a bushy deciduous shrub with glossy rounded to ovate leaves which turn yellow or red in autumn, and clusters of small flowers in late spring and early summer, followed by bright red berries which ripen to black

  • Plant range Europe, Turkey, N Africa

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Bushy

  • Toxicity All parts may cause severe discomfort if ingested

  • Hardiness

    Hardiness ratings

    All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

    • H1a - Under glass all year (>15C)
    • H1b - Can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
    • H1c - Can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
    • H2 - Tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
    • H3 - Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
    • H4 - Hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
    • H5 - Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
    • H6 - Hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
    • H7 - Hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

    H7

Colour

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Clay

    Clay

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Loam

    Loam

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained

  • SoilChalk, Clay, Sand, Loam

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 2.5-4 metres

  • Ultimate spread 2.5-4 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 20-50 years

How to grow

Cultivation Flowers are attractive to bees. Suitable for hedging, wild or woodland gardens. Grow in moist soils

Propagation Propagate by seed or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types Low Maintenance Wildflower meadow Wildlife Gardens

How to care

Pruning Pruning group 1

Pests Generally pest free

Diseases Generally disease free

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