Plant Database
John Edwards Italian Buckthorn
Rhamnus alaternus ‘John Edwards’
John Edwards Italian Buckthorn is a tall, fast-growing evergreen shrub prized for creating a dense, dark green screen or windbreak with remarkable speed. Its glossy, leathery foliage forms an impenetrable mass, and the new growth emerges with attractive red stems, adding seasonal interest. Exceptionally drought-tolerant, heat-loving, and resilient to wind and poor soils once established, it is an ideal, low-maintenance choice for quickly establishing privacy hedges, tall screens, or training into a small, drought-tolerant evergreen tree in full sun locations.
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Tall, Fast-Growing Screen: A vigorous grower that quickly forms a dense, upright, and large evergreen shrub or small tree, reaching 15-18 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide.
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Glossy, Dark Green Foliage: Features small, oval, very glossy, leathery leavesthat provide a year-round lush appearance and effective visual barrier.
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Extremely Drought & Heat Tolerant: Once established, it thrives with very little water and excels in hot, sunny exposures where other plants might struggle.
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Adaptable & Tough: Tolerates a wide range of poor, rocky, or alkaline soils and is resistant to wind and coastal influences.
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Low Maintenance: Can be sheared into a formal hedge or left to grow into a more natural, dense form with minimal care. Responds well to pruning.