Buckthorn Bully: A Tough Native Shrub for Challenging Landscapes
Meet the buckthorn bully (Sideroxylon lycioides), a native shrub that’s as resilient as its name suggests! Don’t let the intimidating moniker fool you – this hardy plant is more of a gentle giant that can solve some tricky landscaping challenges while supporting local wildlife.
What is Buckthorn Bully?
Buckthorn bully is a perennial, multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically reaches about 10 feet tall at maturity, though it can grow up to 15 feet under ideal conditions. This native beauty sports a rounded growth form with green, medium-textured foliage and produces small white flowers in early summer, followed by conspicuous black fruits in fall.
Where Does It Grow Naturally?
This tough customer is native to a large swath of the southeastern and south-central United States. You’ll find it growing naturally across 18 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Why Consider Buckthorn Bully for Your Landscape?
If you’re dealing with challenging growing conditions, buckthorn bully might just be your new best friend. Here’s why this native shrub deserves a spot on your radar:
- Incredibly drought tolerant – Perfect for water-wise gardening
- Thrives in poor soils – Low fertility requirements mean less work for you
- Shade tolerant – Works well under tree canopies where other shrubs struggle
- Rapid growth rate – You won’t wait forever to see results
- Native wildlife value – Supports local ecosystems
- Low maintenance – Once established, it largely takes care of itself
Ideal Garden Settings
Buckthorn bully shines in:
- Native plant gardens
- Wildlife and pollinator gardens
- Naturalized landscapes
- Restoration projects
- Areas with challenging soil conditions
- Spots that receive inconsistent watering
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the best things about buckthorn bully is how adaptable it is to tough conditions. Here’s what it prefers:
- Soil: Thrives in coarse-textured soils but adapts to various conditions
- pH: Acidic to neutral (4.0-7.0)
- Water: Low water needs once established
- Light: Full sun to shade (quite shade tolerant)
- Climate: Hardy to about -27°F (roughly USDA zones 5-9)
Special Growing Notes
Buckthorn bully has some interesting wetland associations. In coastal regions, it’s equally happy in wet or dry sites, while in mountainous and midwestern areas, it tends to prefer moister conditions. This flexibility makes it valuable for rain gardens and areas with variable moisture levels.
Planting and Propagation
Here’s where things get a bit tricky – buckthorn bully isn’t readily available from commercial sources, which means you might need to grow it from seed. The seeds require cold stratification (a winter chill period) to germinate properly. With about 5,000 seeds per pound, you’ll have plenty to work with, though expect slow germination and low seedling vigor initially.
Once established, this shrub can live for a relatively short lifespan compared to trees, but its rapid growth means it quickly fills its intended space.
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
While the small white flowers might not be showstoppers, they provide valuable nectar for various pollinators in early summer. The black fruits that follow offer food for wildlife, and the shrub’s dense growth provides shelter and nesting sites.
Potential Drawbacks
Before you fall head-over-heels for buckthorn bully, consider these factors:
- Limited availability: You may need to grow from seed
- Slow establishment: Patience required in the first year or two
- Not fire tolerant: Avoid if you’re in a fire-prone area
- Severe toxicity: Keep away from areas where children or pets might be tempted to eat the fruits
The Bottom Line
Buckthorn bully is an excellent choice for gardeners looking to support native ecosystems while tackling challenging growing conditions. Its drought tolerance, adaptability, and wildlife value make it a worthy addition to naturalized landscapes and restoration projects. Just be prepared for the challenge of sourcing this uncommon native, and always ensure any plant material comes from responsible, local sources.
If you’re working on a native plant project and need a tough, adaptable shrub that can handle whatever Mother Nature throws at it, buckthorn bully might just be the unsung hero your landscape needs!
