Frangula alnus Fine Line®
Common name: 
Fine Line Alder Buckthorn
Pronunciation: 
FRANG-gew-la al-NUS
Family: 
Rhamnaceae
Genus: 
Synonyms: 
Rhamnus alnifolia Fine Line®
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous shrub, narrow columnar habit, to about 5-7 ft tall and 2-3 f wide (1.5-2.1 × 0.6-0.9 m). Freely branching.   Narrow, linear undulate foliage which gives the plant a feathery appearance.  Reportedly it produces few fruit and its seeds have low viability, hence non-invasive. 
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 3
  • Very adaptable, best with well-drained soils. Pruning seldom needed. Can be used as a narrow hedge or accent specimen.
  • The species Frangula alnus was previously classified as Rhamnus frangula, this relatively recent change is now generally accepted by taxonomy authorities.  However, for commercial reasons, nurseries are slow to adopt changes in Latin names and this selection will likely be listed as Rhamnus frangula Fine Line® for some time to come.
  • Selected by Ronald Williams of Green Bay, Wisconsin.  It originated from a chance cross-pollination in 1989 of the Rhamnus frangula ‘Columnaris’.  US PP 14, 791.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit

    plant habit