Why Buy Our Hedging Trees?
- Our hedging trees are plug plants which can be planted all year round. No rush to plant as roots are not exposed.
- Grown in the North UK which makes the plants much hardier (used to bad weather and political scandal)
- Very easy to plant, little cultivation required and very high success rate.
- Our trees are covered by a FREE TREE WARRANTY. (first 15% not covered)
- Plants do not "check" when planted so rapid early growth.
- Root plug contains both naturally occurring mycorrhizae and fertilizer.
- Growing containers eliminate root spiralling.
- FREE DELIVERY (UK Mainland only).
Frangula alnus – Alder Buckthorn. A reliable, wildlife-supporting, damp-loving hedge plant.
If you want a hedge or garden shrub that quietly supports wildlife while looking naturally at home in a damp or shady spot, Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) is an excellent choice. It’s a British native that thrives where many other plants think twice about moving into the area, especially along streams, ponds and low-lying ground that stays moist through summer. With soft green leaves that turn golden in autumn, small nectar-rich flowers for pollinators and berries that birds love, it earns its place as a reliable, low-maintenance part of any wildlife-friendly garden. You don’t plant Alder Buckthorn for showy blooms, you plant it because it quietly gets on with the job of feeding insects, sheltering birds and keeping your garden alive through the seasons. You won’t be selling the flowers for special occasions as they’re a bit plain but this shrub quietly feeds insects, shelters birds and keeps the garden’s pulse going. A sort of garden defibrillator?
Why Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) Makes A Good Hedge
Alder Buckthorn suits naturalistic, informal hedging where you’d rather blend with the landscape than fight it. Fine, twiggy growth fills out into a soft, medium-height screen that looks established from early on. (give it flat cap and pipe if you want it to look established quicker) It copes well in partial shade and loves damp, fertile soils, ideal near streams, ponds or the lower parts of the garden. Through the year it shifts gently from pale green leaves in spring, to small white flowers in summer, to berries that ripen from green to deep red by autumn. Even bare in winter, the smooth grey stems still give structure and shelter for birds. If you have bear twigs then a grizzly has moved into your back garden.
Advantages of Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) for Hedging
- Wildlife value: Flowers attract bees and other pollinators, berries feed thrushes and finches. It’s also a key food source for brimstone butterfly caterpillars.
- Seasonal interest: Fresh yellow-green leaves in spring, soft flowers in summer, berries and golden foliage in autumn.
- Low maintenance: Easy to shape or leave relaxed (water bottles can help with relaxation?), and tolerant of light trimming once established.
- Shade tolerance: Grows well in partial shade where some hedge species thin out.
- Native hardiness: Suited to most of Britain and resilient once settled in.
- Name can be shortened to Al: Handy if you make friends with plants.
Disadvantages to Consider Before Buying Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
- Prefers moisture: May struggle on very dry or chalky soils unless improved and watered in dry spells.
- Deciduous: Drops its leaves in winter, though the twiggy framework still provides shelter.
- Moderate growth rate: Slower to fill out than fast growers such as hawthorn or privet, but steadier and easier to maintain.
- You have to pay to buy them from us: We have mortgage and food addictions that need servicing.
Benefits Of Using Our Cell-Grown Plug Plants
We supply Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) as strong, cell-grown plug plants with roots encased in compost. Unlike bare-root plants that can only be planted November to March, plugs can go in the ground any time of year if watered during dry spells. Because their roots stay intact, plug plants establish quickly, suffer little shock and are easy to handle. All our cell-grown trees are UK-grown in Scotland for strong establishment and local adaptation.
Planting & Care Tips For Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
- Best on moist, fertile, well-drained soils; dig in organic matter if ground is light or drought-prone. (use water to moisturise the soil and nothing from any skin care range)
- Water regularly through the first growing season and during long dry spells. (don’t worry about any Harry Potter spells, our Alder Buckthorn have been specially trained to resist them)
- Light trimming helps the hedge thicken; avoid heavy pruning in bird-nesting season. Your local barber will not entertain the idea of you turning up with pots of these and asking for a short back and sides.
Soil & Site Conditions
Alder Buckthorn prefers moist, fertile soil and performs best on neutral to acidic ground. It tolerates clay and heavier soils but dislikes prolonged drought. Suitable for damp woodland edges, pond margins and low-lying gardens. It will handle partial shade and some exposure but prefers sheltered positions for best growth.
Wildlife & Ecological Role
Flowers provide nectar for bees and hoverflies, while the berries feed birds such as thrushes and finches. As a native shrub, it’s the primary host plant for brimstone butterfly caterpillars, making it a valuable addition to wildlife gardens and restoration projects.
Growth & Maintenance Details
Moderate growth rate, typically reaching around 4 m (13 ft) when left untrimmed. Easy to manage as a hedge with light annual pruning. Trim after flowering to maintain density. Once established, it needs little care beyond occasional watering in prolonged dry spells.
Companion Species & Alternatives
Mix Alder Buckthorn with native shrubs such as Hazel (Corylus avellana), Dogwood (Cornus sanguinea) or Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) for varied texture and wildlife value. If out of stock, Hazel or Dogwood make good substitutes for similar conditions.
Pest & Disease Notes
Generally resilient and rarely troubled by pests or disease. Watch for aphids on new shoots; rinse them off with a soft spray of water if needed. Deer may browse young plants, so protection may be useful in rural sites.
Wholesale Tree Prices For Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
We’re happy to quote for quantities of 1000 trees or more. Please contact us here.
How Many Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus) Hedging Trees Do I Need?
For a dense screen, plant 6 per metre using the double staggered hedge method. For a single row hedge, plant 3 per metre.
Seasonal Availability & Dispatch Information
Alder Buckthorn plug plants are available to buy online all year. They can be planted at any time with care during dry spells. Water well until established and enjoy steady, reliable growth.
Interesting Facts About Alder Buckthorn (Frangula alnus)
- The bark was once used to make clean-burning charcoal for traditional gunpowder.
- It’s one of the main food plants for brimstone butterfly caterpillars, a true native asset.
- The berries (not edible) were historically used as a natural dye by craft workers.
- Despite its name, Alder Buckthorn has no thorns and often grows beneath alder trees in damp woods.
- It tolerates periodic flooding, making it useful for rain-garden edges or wet patches where other hedges fail.
Delivery
Due to courier unpredictability, we advise having your trees delivered AT LEAST 3 days before you actually need them.
Returning Cell-Grown Trees
For phytosanitary reasons, cell-grown trees cannot be returned to the nursery.
Delaying Planting Cell-Grown Trees
If you cannot plant straight away, take the trees out of the packaging and stand upright next to each other in a sheltered location outside. November to March, no need to water unless they start to dry out and these would be ok for up to 6 weeks. During Spring and Summer, you can do this for up to 3 weeks.
Site Conditions and Evergreen Tree List
Our Tree Chart details which site conditions suit which trees and also which are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
Feeding or Fertilising Hedges
Any nitrogen-based fertiliser will do such as 20:20:10 but the longer-lasting ones which take 18/24 months are better as they are regulated by the weather and moisture, therefore release slowly.
Second Line of Hedging or Staggered Row
We recommend planting the second line of trees 25 cm or 10 inches away from the first if using the staggered hedging approach. Consider buying 10% more than you need and plant the spares elsewhere so you have immediate replacements for damaged or diseased trees.
Hedge Protection
For all hedging protection please view the Tree Extras Section.
You would think that thorny plants would put rabbits off from eating them however this is not the case. They are happy to take the pain regardless of the cost (sounds like rabbits would be suited to marriage).
Using Bark or Wood Chip Mulch for Hedging Trees
Mice like to use this as a nest/home/holiday retreat and they eat the bark (especially Beech). Periodically check for damage below the mulch or bark layer. Alternatively use gravel or plastic sheeting as a method of keeping weeds.
Adding Fragrance and Colour to Your Hedge
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is a very popular addition to any garden due to the strong fragrance, splash of colours and interest it generates from other wildlife. Click the link to find out more.
Plants Suitable for Coastal Planting
Native: Hawthorn, Blackthorn, Sea Buckthorn, Holly, Juniper, Rowan, Whitebeam, Willow, Field Maple.
Evergreen/Semi-Evergreen: Griselinia, Olearia, Escallonia, Elaeagnus, Berberis, Privet, Cotoneaster.
Ground Cover: Hebe, Gorse, Sea Buckthorn (low form), Tamarisk, Pyracantha.
Factors Detrimental to Cell-Grown/Young Hedging Trees
Too much/little water, animal urine, excessive wind exposure (will slow growth), salt spray, frost on new growth, herbicide drift and over-application of fertiliser.
Hedge Tree Growing in the UK
We have instructed all our hedging trees that no non-UK holidays are allowed so that we can state they are all UK grown.
Planting in the Corner of a Garden
Air and light are reduced in this location which could promote fungal and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Multiple Order Discount
Orders over 1000 trees can be discounted by contacting us on 0800 043 1057.
Water Logged Conditions
Willow, Alder, Birch and Poplar may help lower the water level so long as you do not have permanent standing water e.g. your local diving and sailing club meets on your lawn.
