European Buckthorn

Rhamnus cathartica, Rhamnaceae

Zones

3–7

Layer

Understory

Lifespan

Perennial

Growth

Moderate

Guild Roles

WindbreakShade ProviderBeneficial Insect Habitat

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (preferred)Partial Shade (tolerated)

Water

Moderate (established)Moderate (seedling)

Soil pH

6 – 8

Tolerances

Drought

Frost

Heat

Pest Resistance

Disease Resist.

Companion Plants

Wild Service TreeSorbus torminalis

Beneficial Insect HabitatWind Protection

Hungarian HawthornCrataegus nigra

Beneficial Insect HabitatPollinator Sharing

Bloodtwig DogwoodCornus sanguinea

Beneficial Insect HabitatPollinator Sharing

Chickpea MilkvetchAstragalus cicer

Nitrogen FixationBeneficial Insect Habitat

Antagonistic Plants

Sweet ThornAcacia karroo

European buckthorn produces allelopathic compounds that can inhibit nitrogen-fixing acacia species

Hedge BedstrawGalium mollugo

Common buckthorn can suppress hedge bedstraw through shading and allelopathic compounds in temperate zones

Uses

Functions

Thorny HedgeWindbreakTraditional MedicineCoppicing

Medicinal Uses

LaxativePurgative

Common Questions

What zones does European Buckthorn grow in?

European Buckthorn grows in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 7.

What are good companion plants for European Buckthorn?

Good companions for European Buckthorn include Wild Service Tree, Hungarian Hawthorn, Bloodtwig Dogwood, Chickpea Milkvetch.

Design guilds with European Buckthorn and see companion relationships visually.

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