Italian Buckthorn

Rhamnus Alaternus

Design with this plant

Overview

The Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) is an evergreen shrub with a dense, rounded habit, typically reaching 5-6 feet in height, though it can grow up to 10 feet. Its glossy leaves and modest yellow flowers blend well with other plants. It tolerates pruning and shaping, making it an excellent choice for hedges or topiary. Thriving in USDA Zones 7-10, it prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soil conditions.

Sun Full, HalfWater LowZones 7–10Climate Mediterranean

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — The Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus alaternus) is an evergreen shrub with a dense

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Low
USDA zones: 7–10

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Rhamnaceae
Climate: Mediterranean

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (62)

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — It tolerates pruning and shaping, making it an excellent choice for hedges or topiary; this robust shrub, image 49

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — Thriving in USDA Zones 7-10, it prefers full sun to partial shade and adapts to various soil conditions, image 50

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — scientifically referred to as Rhamnus alaternus; typically reaching 5-6 feet in height, image 51

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — dark green foliage and architectural form; while it basks in full sun to partial shade, image 53

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — demonstrating adaptability to a range of soil types; scientifically referred to as Rhamnus alaternus, image 58

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — provided they are well-draining; demonstrating adaptability to a range of soil types, image 59

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — While it basks in full sun to partial shade; keeping the specimen thrives in your client's garden for years, image 60

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — Rhamnus alaternus is also drought-tolerant once established; thriving in USDA Zones 7-10, it prefers full, image 61

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — is an elegant and versatile evergreen shrub ideally incorporated into landscape designs for its dense; dark, image 52

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — This robust shrub typically achieves a height of 10 to 20 feet with a similar spread; the Italian Buckthorn, image 54

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — making it an excellent choice for hedging; is an elegant and versatile evergreen shrub ideally incorporated, image 55

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — contributing an enduring visual appeal to the garden aesthetic; provided they are well-draining, image 56

Italian Buckthorn (Rhamnus Alaternus) — inconspicuous green-yellowish flowers; shrub for full or half, image 57

Related plants

Dark Star Ceanothus (Ceanothus 'Dark Star') — Its foliage is small and dark green, providing a rich backdrop year-round

Dark Star Ceanothus

Ceanothus 'Dark Star'

Full · Zones 10–11

Featherhead (Phylica Pubescens) — Phylica pubescens, commonly dubbed Featherhead, is a charming evergreen shrub standing about 3-5 feet tall

Featherhead

Phylica Pubescens

Full · Zones 9–10

Hairy Ceanothus (Ceanothus Oliganthus) — The Hairy Ceanothus (Ceanothus oliganthus)

Hairy Ceanothus

Ceanothus Oliganthus

Full · Zones 8–10

California Lilac (Ceanothus 'Gloire De Versailles') — offers remarkable powder-blue blooms from July through September

California Lilac

Ceanothus 'Gloire De Versailles'

Full · Zones 7–10

Jujube, Chinese-Date, Tsao (Ziziphus Jujuba) — commonly known as the Jujube or Chinese-Date

Jujube, Chinese-Date, Tsao

Ziziphus Jujuba

Full · Zones 8–10

Chaparral Whitethorn (Ceanothus Leucodermis) — The Chaparral Whitethorn (Ceanothus leucodermis) is an evergreen shrub, native to California's coastal ranges

Chaparral Whitethorn

Ceanothus Leucodermis

Full · Zones 10–11