Description
A native of British hedgerows. Also known as glossy buckthorn, this makes a great addition to a mixed hedge . Alder buckthorn (Frangula alnus) thrives on a damp soil and although it prefers acidic conditions, it will grow in most neutral soils too - just dont plant on thin, chalky soils. In full sun or slight shade it will quickly make a dense hedge, producing small yellow flowers in late spring and purple black berries in autumn, which birds, and thrushes in particular, love. It is a food plant for the common brimstone butterfly. Alder buckthorn is not thorny, despite the name.For most garden hedges, plant in a single row, spacing plants every 30cm.
