{"title":"Buckthorn Shrubs","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuckthorn shrubs are hardy, adaptable plants valued for their dense growth, seasonal berries and genuine wildlife value across a range of UK growing conditions. From damp woodland edges to exposed coastal ground, buckthorn shrubs establish readily where many other species struggle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur range includes Alder Buckthorn and Purging Buckthorn, both important food plants for Brimstone butterfly caterpillars, alongside Sea Buckthorn, prized for its silvery foliage and bright orange berries in coastal and riverside planting. Whether you're planting for wildlife, shelter, or challenging ground, our buckthorn shrubs provide a resilient, low maintenance choice.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"purging-buckthorn-rhamnus-cathartica","title":"Purging Buckthorn Hedging Plant (Rhamnus Cathartica)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurging Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a dense, spiky native hedging plant that grows best on calcareous soils but tolerates most other soil types, including clay, chalk and light sandy ground. Suckering readily, Purging Buckthorn forms thick, thorny growth well suited to windy sites and higher altitudes, and can also grow well in partial shade. As one of only two food plants for Brimstone butterfly caterpillars, Purging Buckthorn holds real significance for wildlife, with its blossom also attracting adult Brimstones and its foliage feeding the larvae of tiger moths. Left unmanaged, Purging Buckthorn can reach up to 10 metres in height, and needs little cultivation once established.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a hedge plant, Purging Buckthorn provides dense cover that draws in nesting birds and other wildlife searching for food and shelter.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA tough, low maintenance hedging plant, Purging Buckthorn is easy to establish on exposed or elevated sites where many other native species struggle.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alba Trees","offers":[{"title":"15","offer_id":52270663270736,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60","offer_id":52270663303504,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"105","offer_id":52270663336272,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pk of 4","offer_id":52270663369040,"sku":null,"price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/9576\/1232\/files\/alba-trees-purging-buckthorn-rhamnus-cathartica-1654008082purging-buckthorn.jpg?v=1764850779"},{"product_id":"sea-buckthorn-hippophae-rhamnoides","title":"Sea Buckthorn Shrub (Hippophae Rhamnoides)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a tall, suckering shrub that thrives in coastal areas and along riverbanks. Narrow, silvery leaves stay on the plant into winter, and bright orange berries appear on female plants in autumn. Sea Buckthorn is dioecious, so at least one male plant is needed nearby to pollinate the females and produce berries. Small flowers appear in early spring before the leaves, and this vigorous, thorny shrub reaches up to 6 metres, giving excellent shelter from coastal gales and sea spray.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs with holly, individual plants are not sold as a guaranteed male or female, so planting several Sea Buckthorn shrubs together improves the chances of a good berry crop.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWell suited to sandy, free draining soils, Sea Buckthorn is one of the most versatile buckthorn shrubs for coastal, riverside and exposed inland planting schemes alike.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alba Trees","offers":[{"title":"15","offer_id":52270664221008,"sku":null,"price":60.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60","offer_id":52270664253776,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"105","offer_id":52270664286544,"sku":null,"price":190.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pk of 4","offer_id":52270664319312,"sku":null,"price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/9576\/1232\/files\/alba-trees-sea-buckthorn-hippophae-rhamnoides-1654599894hirh.jpg?v=1764851003"},{"product_id":"alder-buckthorn-rhamnus-frangula","title":"Alder Buckthorn Hedging Plant (Rhamnus Frangula)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlder Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula) is a small, thornless native tree found along riverbanks, in heathland and in damp woodland, though it remains scarce across the UK. Preferring damp, acidic soils, Alder Buckthorn produces clusters of small pale green flowers in late spring, followed by berries that ripen from red to purple black in autumn. As one of the two food plants of the Brimstone butterfly caterpillar, Alder Buckthorn is a valuable hedge plant for wildlife and conservation planting, reaching a maximum height of around 7 metres. Very hardy and tolerant of a wide range of damp conditions, it suits crofts, woodland edges, gardens and mixed native hedging schemes.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRipening berries provide a valuable late season food source for birds through the autumn, adding wildlife value alongside Alder Buckthorn's role as a Brimstone butterfly host plant.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs a hedging plant, Alder Buckthorn works well in damp, acidic ground where many other native hedge species struggle to establish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Alba Trees","offers":[{"title":"15","offer_id":52270666088784,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"60","offer_id":52270666121552,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"105","offer_id":52270666154320,"sku":null,"price":150.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pk of 4","offer_id":52270666187088,"sku":null,"price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Standard Gift Tree","offer_id":52270666219856,"sku":null,"price":12.95,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/9576\/1232\/files\/alba-trees-alder-buckthorn-rhamnus-frangula-1654008032alder-buckthorn.jpg?v=1764851263"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0910\/9576\/1232\/collections\/Buckthorn_Shrubs_Featured_Image.jpg?v=1786535386","url":"https:\/\/www.albatrees.co.uk\/collections\/buckthorn-shrubs.oembed","provider":"Alba Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}