Chinese Buckthorn: A Hardy Non-Native Shrub for Low-Maintenance Landscapes
If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails shrub that can handle whatever your garden throws at it, Chinese buckthorn (Rhamnus utilis) might catch your attention. But before you rush to the nursery, let’s dig into what makes this plant tick and whether it deserves a spot in your landscape.
What Is Chinese Buckthorn?
Chinese buckthorn is a perennial shrub that originally hails from China and eastern Asia. This deciduous plant typically grows as a multi-stemmed woody shrub, usually staying under 13 to 16 feet tall, though it can sometimes surprise you by growing taller or developing a single trunk under the right conditions.
The plant produces small, oval leaves and clusters of tiny greenish flowers that aren’t exactly show-stoppers but do their job of attracting pollinators. These blooms eventually give way to small black berries that add a bit of visual interest to the plant.
Where Does It Grow?
As a non-native species, Chinese buckthorn has made itself at home in several U.S. states, including Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Ohio. It’s proven quite adaptable, reproducing on its own in the wild without any help from gardeners.
Should You Plant Chinese Buckthorn?
Here’s where things get interesting. Chinese buckthorn is what you might call a utility player in the shrub world – it’s not going to win any beauty contests, but it gets the job done. Here are some reasons you might consider it:
- Extremely low maintenance once established
- Drought tolerant and adaptable to poor soils
- Hardy in USDA zones 4-7
- Provides nectar for small pollinators like bees and flies
- Can serve as a hedge or naturalized planting
However, since it’s not native to North America, you might want to think twice. While it’s not currently flagged as invasive, non-native plants don’t provide the same ecological benefits as native alternatives.
Native Alternatives to Consider
Before settling on Chinese buckthorn, consider these native shrubs that offer similar hardiness with better ecological benefits:
- American black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
- Serviceberry (Amelanchier species)
- Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
- Native viburnums
Growing Chinese Buckthorn Successfully
If you do decide to plant Chinese buckthorn, the good news is that it’s about as fussy as a golden retriever – which is to say, not at all. Here’s what you need to know:
Planting Conditions
- Light: Full sun to partial shade (it’s not picky)
- Soil: Adaptable to various soil types, including poor soils
- Hardiness: Zones 4-7
- Water: Drought tolerant once established
Care and Maintenance
Chinese buckthorn is the definition of set it and forget it. Once established, it requires minimal care. You might want to prune it occasionally to maintain shape or size, but even that’s optional. The plant is quite forgiving and will bounce back from most pruning mistakes.
The Bottom Line
Chinese buckthorn is a reliable, hardy shrub that can fill a spot in low-maintenance landscapes or naturalized areas. While it won’t win any awards for stunning beauty, it does provide some benefits to pollinators and requires virtually no babying from gardeners.
That said, if you’re looking to support local ecosystems and wildlife, native alternatives will give you more bang for your buck. Chinese buckthorn isn’t a bad plant – it’s just that there are better options out there that will make both you and your local wildlife happier in the long run.
