trefle.io · Taken Aug 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Rhamnaceae
Alder buckthorn
Frangula alnus
Also known as Frangula vulgaris, Glossy buckthorn, Black dogwood, Frangula dodonei
Zones 4–10Sun Partial SunWater ModerateCare Low
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Native · Shrub · Wildlife · Buckthorn · Deciduous · Hardy · Shade · Medicinal · Berries
Pet-safeBeginner-friendlyMedicinalAttracts pollinators
Currently out of stock everywhereStock updated 9/6/2026
This hardy native shrub thrives in moist to average soils with partial shade. Once established, it requires minimal care and provides excellent wildlife habitat. Prune lightly in late winter to maintain shape.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 4 hours
- Watering
- Deep water at base, allow soil to dry between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5–6.5
- Temperature
- -30°F to 95°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 4a-10b
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Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 2 ft – 5 ft
- Spread
- 12 ft
- Spacing
- 72 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Albania, Algeria, Altay, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., Central European Rus, Colorado, Connecticut, Corse, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, East European Russia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain
- Attracts
- Bees, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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