Mediterranean buckthorn
Rhamnus alaternus
A tough evergreen filler that clips into dense screens and takes sun or shade — great structural glue between other plants. Birds spread its berries, so check local invasive status.
Mediterranean buckthorn in a syntropic line
Mediterranean buckthorn belongs in the Shrub layer as a Secondary species. Support species, fruit, and nitrogen fixers under the canopy. Rough in-row spacing starts around 1.5 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Almond-leaved pear, Broad-leaved mock privet, Common sage. As a Secondary species it carries mid-term yield and structure while climax trees slowly claim the canopy.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Shrub
- Lifecycle
- Secondary
- Soil preference
- Rocky, Loam
- Soil pH range
- 6 – 8
- Min. temperature
- -12°C
- Min. rainfall
- 400 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Medium
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- Yes
How to manage it
Tough evergreen hedge and understory filler that tolerates sun or part shade and clips well for dense screens.
How to propagate
Soak seed or take softwood cuttings in early summer.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Bird-spread berries make it invasive in some regions (e.g. California, Australia, New Zealand); check local status before planting.
Frequently asked questions about Mediterranean buckthorn
Is mediterranean buckthorn frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -12°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does mediterranean buckthorn need?
It does best on rocky, loam ground, at pH about 6–8.
How much water does mediterranean buckthorn need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 400 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can mediterranean buckthorn handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — mediterranean buckthorn has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with mediterranean buckthorn?
Bird-spread berries make it invasive in some regions (e.g. California, Australia, New Zealand); check local status before planting.
Mediterranean buckthorn in soil templates
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