Glossy Buckthorn

Frangula alnus

Family: RhamnaceaeNative: Europe, Northwest Africa, and Western AsiaIdentified: Aug 9, 2026

A deciduous shrub or small tree characterized by alternate, elliptic to oval leaves with distinct, parallel side veins and smooth margins.

Light: Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.
Water: Moderate watering needs. Prefers consistently moist soil but can tolerate occasional dry spells once established.
Growth: Deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 20 feet tall with an upright, multi-stemmed growth habit and moderate growth rate.

Care instructions

Prefers moist, well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. Water regularly during establishment and prune as needed to maintain shape.

Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal growth.

Moderate watering needs. Prefers consistently moist soil but can tolerate occasional dry spells once established.

Adaptable to a wide range of soil types including clay, loam, and sand, provided they have reasonable drainage.

USDA zones 3 through 8

Deciduous shrub or small tree growing up to 20 feet tall with an upright, multi-stemmed growth habit and moderate growth rate.

Blooms in late spring to mid-summer with small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers clustered in the leaf axils.

Propagated primarily through seeds dispersed by wildlife, or through hardwood and softwood stem cuttings.

Generally resilient, though leaves may occasionally show minor insect chewing damage or localized fungal spotting.

Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), which can be distinguished by its slightly toothed leaf margins and opposite or subopposite arrangement.