The alder buckthorn can be used in different ways, for example as a solitaire and in Japanese gardens. Another interesting option is to plant the plant as a hedge. This article takes a closer look at the hedge variant.
The alder buckthorn forms a beautiful, lush green hedge
Is the buckthorn suitable for hedges?
no In any case, it should be noted that the real buckthorn is summer green. This means that when planted as a hedge, it does not provide privacy all year round. If you only need the latter in summer, the alder buckthorn is well suited as a hedge, especially since it is extremely easy to care for.
Another advantage of the alder buckthorn as a hedge plant: Due to its extremely long and intensive flowering period and the nectar-rich flowers, this plant makes a valuable contribution as a native insect and bird seed plant.
Worth knowing about the alder buckthorn
If you plan to integrate a buckthorn or several specimens in a hedge, you should know the basic properties of the plant.
growth of the alder buckthorn
The real buckthorn is deciduous. It grows multi-stemmed and branched. As a rule, the large shrub grows up to four, sometimes even up to six meters high. Only very rarely does it develop as a tree. In these exceptional cases, it can reach heights of up to seven meters.
plant buckthorn
Plant the buckthorn in conventional garden soil. Mix the soil with compost first. Before planting, you should water the alder buckthorn extensively - after planting, thorough mudding of the root area is important. To protect the shrub from drying out, it is advisable to cover the root disc with some bark mulch.
Care of the alder buckthorn
Once established, the alder buckthorn is extremely robust and requires little care. A compost addition in spring is a must; you should also water the alder buckthorn when it is dry.
Also in spring it makes sense to thin out the buckthorn and also to carry out a maintenance cut. Remove dead and other disturbing branches. You can also cut out old, dark branches to rejuvenate the shrub.
Note: Stick to an oblique incision and start just above one eye. A frost-free but overcast day is optimal for cutting. If necessary, the buckthorn can also be placed on the stick.
Propagating buckthorn for the hedge
If your hedge should gradually consist of several buckthorns, propagation is definitely the cheapest option.
Conveniently, the alder buckthorn reproduces almost by itself from the seeds of its fruit.
- Seeds of fallen fruits germinate in close proximity to the mother plant
- Seeds of the fruits are spread by birds
If you don't want to rely on it, you also have the option of producing young plants using sinkers:
- push young side branch to the ground
- Slightly scratch the contact point
- Fasten the branch to the ground with a stone or a peg
- Water contact point with soil regularly
- Branch is rooted in the following year
- then separate the branch from the mother plant
Alternatively, propagation by cuttings is usually successful.