Frangula alnus ‘Fine Line’ (Alder Buckthorn)

We love this Fraggly Fragula. ‘Fine Line’ thrusts upward to reach around 2.5 metres tall but keeps to a strict width of about half a metre and forming a plume of frothy vertical strands. It remains strictly columnar in habit but is not too soldier-stiff or rigid and allows itself to shimmy and tremble with the breeze. Its ferny foliage in a good bright green has a presence which is architectural but with movement and a light hearted grace. Autumn leaves go a glorious butyraceous yellow.

Pretty new to cultivation this one, and we’re very pleased to offer them. In fact, they’re extremely pleasing to have on the premises actually so we’d be thrilled if you came to meet them in person and if you were to give one a cheeky cuddle while our backs were turned we would not blame you one bit.

It is deciduous so will not be a year-round green thing: we have some luscious conifers that do that. However, for something with a softer texture and for something unusual that billows out from your borders each spring with such energy and for a belting spray of autumn colour we reckon ‘Fine Line’ is as fine a fizzing whizbee as you’ll find. Good for screening and hedging and a far more well-behaved alternative to bamboo, it’s also great for defining corners or giving height in a narrow spot. We’ve seen it looking rather grand in pots, too.

They are quite slow to grow but are hardy everywhere and in all regards are a doddle to maintain without fuss. Any well-drained soil in sun or part shade will do.

N.B. When clipping several plants with the same tool, have a bucket containing a 5% bleach solution and swish your blades around for 30 seconds between plants to sterilise them. This will help avoid the chance of cross contamination of disease.

As with all woody plants, plant high, exposing as much of the taper at the base of the trunk as possible. Allowing soil to accumulate round the base of a tree can be fatal. Keep very well watered when first planted.