John Edwards Italian Buckthorn

5 Gallon

$59.90

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John Edwards Italian Buckthorn

Rhamnus alaternus 'John Edwards'

A fast-growing, drought-tolerant evergreen for tall, dense screens in full sun.

$59.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

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.

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.
Glossy, Dark Green Foliage: Features small, oval, very glossy, leathery leavesthat provide a year-round lush appearance and effective visual barrier.
Extremely Drought & Heat Tolerant: Once established, it thrives with very little water and excels in hot, sunny exposures where other plants might struggle.
Adaptable & Tough: Tolerates a wide range of poor, rocky, or alkaline soils and is resistant to wind and coastal influences.
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.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Features:Foliage: Oval, leathery, glossy, deep green leaves.Flowers: Small, inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers.Fruit: Produces small, ornamental berries that change from red to a dark, blackish-purple.Habit: A large, dense, evergreen shrub with an upright, columnar to oval habit and attractive reddish young stems.
Mature Height: 15-18 ft.
Mature Width: 6-10 ft.
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun
Key Advantages:Tolerates heat, wind, and drought once established.Fast-growing for quick screening.Responds well to pruning, making it ideal for formal hedges.Tidy, adaptable growth habit
Landscape Uses:Tall privacy screen or windbreak.Formal or informal hedge.Specimen shrub for vertical accent

Q: Can it be kept smaller as a hedge?
A: Yes, absolutely. While it can grow very tall, it responds excellently to pruningand can be maintained as a formal hedge at 6, 8, or 10 feet tall with an annual trim. Prune in late winter or early spring.

Q: Does it have invasive tendencies?
A: The species (Rhamnus alaternus) is listed as invasive in some regions (like Australia and parts of California) due to its prolific seeding and bird-dispersed berries. 'John Edwards' is a male cultivar, which means it does not produce berries, eliminating the seed invasion risk and making it a more responsible garden choice.