Common buckthorn
Rhamnus cathartica · Rhamnaceae
📷 Franz Xaver · CC BY-SA 3.0
⚠️ Chiens, chats, enfants : baies par ingestion causent troubles gastro-intestinaux et effet laxatif puissant.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around common buckthorn and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to June, discreet yellowish-green flowers
- Adult size
- 3 to 4 m in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15 °C
- Origin
- Europe, Western Asia and North Africa
- Soil type
- Well-drained, neutral to chalky, fairly tolerant
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Buckthorn is a robust shrub for informal hedges, valuable for wildlife. Plant it in well-drained soil and prune lightly after fruiting if needed.
The common mistake
Heavy pruning each year limits flowering, fruiting and ecological interest.
The pro's trick
Leave some branches to fruit: the berries feed birds, even though they're not edible for humans.
Care
Exposure
Buckthorn prefers full sun for optimal fruiting. However, it tolerates partial shade, although growth will be slower. An open location without intense root competition suits it perfectly.
Watering
Water needs are moderate. Plant it in well-drained soil to prevent root suffocation. During prolonged dry periods, especially in the first two years, water regularly. An established plant tolerates drought well.
Soil and planting
Buckthorn adapts to most soils, with a preference for neutral to chalky substrates. Enrich the planting hole with well-decomposed compost. Good drainage is essential for longevity.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain balanced shape. Buckthorn tolerates heavier pruning in late winter if necessary. Remove dead wood or tangled branches.
Fertilizing
An application of well-decomposed compost in spring is usually sufficient. For poor soils, a balanced fertilizer in late winter stimulates growth. Avoid excess nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
Buckthorn is very resistant to diseases. It may occasionally be visited by insects without serious harm. No specific treatment is generally necessary if it is well-established in favorable conditions.
Did you know?
Buckthorn was once used to produce a precious yellowish-green dye in painting and textiles. In traditional medicine, its berries had a reputation as a powerful laxative, which earned it its scientific name 'cathartica' (from the Greek 'catharsis', purification). It is also an important host plant for butterflies, notably the Small White butterfly.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Alder buckthornFrangula alnus
- BuckthornRhamnus alaternus
- JujubeZiziphus jujuba
- Indian jujubeZiziphus mauritiana
- BlueblossomCeanothus thyrsiflorus
- Feltleaf ceanothusCeanothus arboreus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.