Glossy Buckthorn
Frangula alnus
A deciduous shrub or small tree featuring alternate, glossy, dark green leaves with prominent parallel veins and clusters of small spherical fruits that ripen from green to red and finally dark purple-black.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Water
- Prefers consistently moist soil. Water regularly during dry spells, as it has moderate moisture requirements and performs best when not subjected to prolonged drought.
- Growth
- A large deciduous shrub or multi-stemmed small tree growing to a mature height of 10 to 20 feet with a comparable spread, exhibiting a dense, upright, and somewhat rounded growth form.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun to partial shade in moist, well-draining soil. Water regularly during establishment to maintain even moisture, and apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy vegetative growth.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Watering
Prefers consistently moist soil. Water regularly during dry spells, as it has moderate moisture requirements and performs best when not subjected to prolonged drought.
Soil
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types including clay, loam, and sand, provided they have reasonable drainage. Tolerates a pH range from acidic to slightly alkaline.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
Growth habit
A large deciduous shrub or multi-stemmed small tree growing to a mature height of 10 to 20 feet with a comparable spread, exhibiting a dense, upright, and somewhat rounded growth form.
Bloom season
Blooms in late spring to early summer with small, inconspicuous, greenish-white flowers clustered in the leaf axils.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through seeds or softwood cuttings taken in late spring to early summer.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient against major pests and diseases, though occasional infestations by aphids or leaf spot fungi can occur under unfavorable environmental conditions.
Similar species
Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica), which can be distinguished by its slightly toothed leaf margins and sub-opposite branching pattern compared to the entire margins and alternate leaves of Glossy Buckthorn.