Fine Line® Improved Buckthorn

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5-7 Feet

Mature Spread

2-3 Feet

Growing Zones

2 to 7

Fine Line® Improved Buckthorn (Rhamnus frangula ‘SMNRFBT’) delivers a slim, fern‑textured profile that rises to seven feet yet stays barely two to three feet wide, turning tight spaces into living green screens. Glossy, grass‑like leaves pack each dark stem from the base up, creating an elegant vertical accent that does not sprawl. Autumn brings a wash of soft yellow before the foliage drops, leaving striking branch architecture through winter. Because this refined selection produces very little viable seed, it offers the graceful look of buckthorn without the weedy habit of older types.

Beyond its eye‑catching form, this shrub handles real‑world conditions, including deer pressure, drought, and pests, with ease. Hardy from Zone 2 through Zone 7 and tolerant of sun or a few hours of shade, it suits northern gardens just as well as temperate ones. Use its upright habit to frame doorways, anchor mixed borders, divide patio spaces, or weave a low‑maintenance hedge that never overwhelms a walkway. Containers, modern courtyards, and formal beds all benefit from its tidy lines and feathery texture.

Fine Line® Improved Buckthorn Care

Plant in full sun for the densest growth, though four to six hours of light still keeps foliage lush. Average, well‑drained soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH is ideal; clay, loam, sand, and even lightly alkaline ground are all acceptable if drainage is adequate. Water regularly the first season to establish roots, then irrigate only during extended dry spells. A light application of balanced granular fertilizer in early spring supports new growth but is optional in fertile soils.

Late‑fall pruning is rarely necessary—simply remove broken or damaged branches to maintain the natural column. If height control is desired, shear or pinch tips just before bud‑break; the plant responds with dense regrowth. In containers, choose frost‑proof pots and insulate roots in zones colder than 3 by clustering planters or moving them to a sheltered corner. No additional winter wrapping is required in the ground.

Fine Line® Improved Buckthorn Spacing

Set plants 24–36 inches apart for a seamless hedge or privacy screen; wider gaps create distinct vertical accents in mixed plantings. As a specimen, allow a footprint at least three feet across to highlight its airy silhouette. For patio pots, use a container 16–20 inches in diameter (roughly 10 gallons) to provide ample root room while keeping the shrub stable against wind.

Restricted States: CT, IA IL, MA, ME, MN, NH, NY and VT.