Rhamnus frangula 'Asplenifolia'
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WARNING: LOCALLY INVASIVE SPECIES
 
Tried and True Recommended by 2 Professionals
Common Name: alder buckthorn
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Rhamnaceae
Zone: 2 to 7
Garden Location: Lang Family Bird Garden
Height: 10 to 12 feet
Spread: 6 to 10 feet
Bloom Time: May
Bloom Description: Whitish-green
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Flowers not Showy
Fruit: Showy Fruit
Rhamnus frangula is listed as an exotic invasive species to Missouri and the Midwest by the Midwest Invasive Plant Network. The species should not be planted in the Midwest where it can invade natural areas.

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This glossy buckthorn (or alder buckthorn) cultivar is an upright, spreading, deciduous shrub which typically grows 6-10' tall. Clusters of whitish-green flowers appear in the leaf axils in May. Flowers are attractive to bees but not particularly showy. Flowers give way to green drupes (1/4" across) which turn red and finally black over the period of July to September. Glossy green leaves are quite unusual in that they have the general appearance of fern pinnae: extremely narrow (to 2.5" long but only 2" wide) with irregular margins. Also sometimes commonly called fern-leaf buckthorn.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems.

Garden Uses

Shrub borders. Backgrounds.

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