Italian buckthorn
1
3Will it grow where I live?
Italian buckthorn is hardy to zone 7: lowlands, river valleys and cities across Central Europe are fine, harsher continental or upland sites need winter protection or a container.
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Profile
- Family
- Rhamnaceae
- Habit
- Shrub
- Height
- 5.5 m
- Spread
- 5 m
- Growth
- fast
- Lifespan
- 75 years
- First yield
- after 3 years
- Hardiness
- zone 7–9
- Shade tolerance
- partial shade
- Soil
- Sand, Silt, Loam
- Soil moisture
- dry – very moist
- pH
- 6 – 8.5
Flowering & harvest
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowering | ||||||||||||
| Fruit harvest |
Uses
Origin & habitat
Mediterranean countries to Asia Minor, Central Asia, Afghanistan, North Africa, Southwest Asia
Trockene Heiden und Hänge, lichte Wälder, Gebüsche, Macchien, Garrigues
⚠️ Hazards
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been found for this species, there is a suspicion that some members of this genus may be mildly toxic.
Frequently asked questions
Italian buckthorn: how big does it get?
Italian buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) grows as a Shrub and reaches roughly 5.5 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 5 m. Growth is fast.
Italian buckthorn: what site does it need?
Italian buckthorn tolerates partial shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 6 and 8.5.
Italian buckthorn: is it hardy?
Italian buckthorn is listed as hardy in zone 7–9 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Italian buckthorn: will it grow in Central Europe?
Italian buckthorn is hardy to zone 7: lowlands, river valleys and cities across Central Europe are fine, harsher continental or upland sites need winter protection or a container.
Italian buckthorn: when does it flower?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate it flowers in May.
Italian buckthorn: when is it harvested?
In a temperate northern-hemisphere climate the fruit ripens in April.
Italian buckthorn: is it poisonous?
Individual parts of Italian buckthorn are noted as mildly problematic — the plant does not count as poisonous. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone, only on a confident identification.
Italian buckthorn: what is it used for?
Rated on a scale up to 10: Medicinal 1/10, Other uses 3/10.
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Community experience
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