Variegated Italian Buckthorn | Cream-Edged Evergreen Screen

Variegated Italian Buckthorn

5 Gallon

$76.90

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Variegated Italian Buckthorn

Rhamnus alaternus'Variegata'

A salt-tolerant, variegated evergreen for luminous color in coastal and sunny gardens.

$76.90

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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.

Variegated Italian Buckthorn is a striking, medium-sized evergreen shrub that brightens the landscape with its glossy, cream-edged foliage. Each dark green leaf is elegantly outlined in creamy white, with new growth often flushed with pink. It forms a dense, rounded mound that is exceptionally tolerant of coastal winds, salt spray, and drought. This tough yet ornamental shrub is perfect for adding year-round luminosity to sunny borders, creating a colorful informal hedge, or as a standout specimen in seaside gardens.

Elegant Variegated Foliage: Features small, glossy leaves with irregular creamy-white margins that can have a pink blush on new growth, creating a bright, luminous effect.
Dense, Compact Habit: Grows into a neat, dense, and rounded shrub, maintaining a manageable size of 6-8 feet tall and wide.
Exceptional Coastal Hardiness: Highly tolerant of exposed, windy sites, salt spray, and poor, dry soils, making it a top choice for challenging coastal gardens.
Drought Tolerant & Low Maintenance: Once established, requires minimal waterand only occasional pruning to maintain shape or encourage denser growth.
Non-Invasive: Like other selected cultivars, it is typically less fertile than the species, reducing any potential for invasive spread.

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 leaves with a dark green center and striking creamy-white to yellow margins. New growth often emerges with a attractive pinkish tint.Flowers: Small, inconspicuous, yellowish-green flowers.Fruit: Produces small, ornamental berries that change from red to a dark, blackish-purple.Habit: A dense, bushy, evergreen shrub with a compact, rounded to upright growth habit and reddish young stems.
Mature Height: 6-8 ft.
Mature Width: 6-8 ft.
Growth Rate: Fast
Light Needs: Full sun to partial shade
Key Advantages:Striking variegated foliage brightens the landscape.Tolerates wind and salt spray, excellent for coastal gardens.Fast-growing.Responds well to pruning for formal hedges.Drought tolerant once established
Landscape Uses:Colorful hedge or screen.Coastal and exposed gardens.Specimen shrub for year-round interest.Foundation planting

Q: Does it need full sun to keep its variegation?
A: Yes, full sun is best. Planting in full sun ensures the most vibrant cream variegation and compact growth. In too much shade, the plant may become leggy, and the variegation can fade or revert to green.

Q: Is it deer resistant?
A: While no plant is completely deer-proof, Italian Buckthorn is generally considered deer resistant due to its leathery foliage, making it a good option for areas with deer pressure.