RHAMNUS. Buckthorn. Widespread. A large group of trees and shrubs, many of them with spine-tipped twigs. Most have pointed-oval to lance shaped leaves, often quite decorative. Flowers are small and generally inconspicuous, borne in small clusters in the leaf-axils. However, the berries which follow can be quite showy. Most are rugged and easily grown, and have a variety of uses. Sun or light shade, reasonably well drained soil, occasional watering when established. Hardy to 10^oF or less.

alaternus. Italian buckthorn. An evergreen shrub, easily trained as a small tree, growing 10-20’ tall. The main branches are erect to upsweeping, lined by virtual brushes of branchlets.The leaves are up to 2” long, pointed-oval in outline, and colored dark green above, pale green beneath, with a lacquered surface. Flowers are tiny and greenish, and many of the small blackish purple berries are hidden by the leaves. This is a nearly indestructible shrub, used in tall screens and hedges or trained as a small tree. ‘John Edwards’ is a vigorous, large leaved selection.‘Variegata’ is smaller and slower growing, with smaller leaves decorated by cream-colored margins. It is a more malleable plant for small landscapes.