Rhamnus frangula 'Ron Williams' PP14,791 PW
Growing zones
See Zone Map >
2-8
Rhamnus frangula 'Ron Williams' PP14,791 PW
Status: In stock
Product ID#: bfine
Starting at:
$77.99
Starting at:
Product Description
Sun Exposure
Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Bloom Time
Summer
Soil Conditions
Normal, Clay/Heavy
Fall Color
Yellow
Flower Color
Yellow
Mature Plant Size (H x W)
5-7' x 2-3'
Introduced by Ron Williams of Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Fine Line® FernLeaf Buckthorn is an excellent cross between Columnar and Fernleaf Buckthorns. It sports a consistent yellow fall color, perfect for warm-toned garden palettes. As a great landscape plant, the Fine Line® Buckthorn shrub combines the feathery foliage of an 'Asplenifolia' with the narrow, upright form of a 'Columnaris'. Showcasing the best of both worlds, this shrub is a great vertical accent for a perennial garden. An especially architectural plant with its narrow habit, it is perfect for framing entrances. Besides framing borders, the feathery foliage of this shrub works well for slender hedges and screening.
Discover the Unique Qualities of Fine Line® Buckthorn at McKay Nursery
Fine Line® Buckthorn is an exemplary choice for creating narrow hedges or screens in landscapes where space is limited, but height is desired. Its resistance to deer and ability to thrive in drought conditions make it a sustainable choice for modern gardens. If you're looking to add this versatile plant to your garden, order one today! Contact us at [email protected] or call 920-478-2121 and let our team personally assist you in creating a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape with our diverse plant selections.
Discover the Unique Qualities of Fine Line® Buckthorn at McKay Nursery
Fine Line® Buckthorn is an exemplary choice for creating narrow hedges or screens in landscapes where space is limited, but height is desired. Its resistance to deer and ability to thrive in drought conditions make it a sustainable choice for modern gardens. If you're looking to add this versatile plant to your garden, order one today! Contact us at [email protected] or call 920-478-2121 and let our team personally assist you in creating a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape with our diverse plant selections.
- Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Mature Plant Size (H x W):
5-7' x 2-3' 
Bloom Season:
Summer
Key features
- Deer Resistant
- Drought Tolerant
- Hedges & Screens
Planting Care
Planting & Care for Deciduous Shrub - Fine Line Fernleaf Buckthorn
Preparation
- The Fine Line® Fernleaf Buckthorn is an excellent cross between the columnar and fernleaf forms of Buckthorn.
- It has a narrow, upright form with very thin, fine-textured foliage.
- This shrub works great for narrow hedges and screening.
- This selection rarely produces seed and is not considered invasive.
- This shrub is highly adaptable but prefers well-drained soil.
- Mature growth is around 6' tall x 2.5' wide.
- Be cautious as Rhamnus frangula was recently listed as an exotic invasive species to Missouri and the Midwest by the Midwest Invasive Plant Network. The species should not be planted in the Midwest where it can invade natural areas.
Opening Plant Material
- B&B: Soak root ball well. Dig a hole at least 6" wider and no deeper than the size of the ball on the plant. Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move trees by the tops.
- Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until bubbling stops. Remove the plant, then dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container, ensuring it’s wider on the sides by an additional 6” or more.
Planting B&B Trees
- Plant B&B trees in spring or fall. A good indicator of whether you can still plant is if the ground is still workable. If a hard frost is expected, hold off on planting.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill ½ of the hole with soil and completely saturate the soil with water.
Once the tree is straight in the proper location, cut and remove twine. Then, remove or bend back the top of the metal basket. Lastly, remove the exposed burlap from the top of the ball. - Fill the hole to the top of the ball with soil, then soak well with water and let it settle.
- The top of the root ball should be visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
Add mulch on top of the soil, making sure not to put mulch against the trunk or stems.
Planting Containers
- Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6" or wider on the sides.
Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot. - With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2" off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
- Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops.
Place the root ball in the hole. - Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground.
- Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball.
Pruning - After Planting
- B&B and Containers: Although it’s not essential after planting, light pruning can help shape a Fine Line® Buckthorn shrub. Doing so removes any broken branches from shipping or thins out a heavily branched plant to assist in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
Pruning - Through-out the Season
- Pruning throughout the season is not necessary for this plant.
Watering - Throughout the Season
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
- Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
Watering - Through-out the Season
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Buckthorn Rhamnus shrub invasive?
Although a Rhamnus shrub is non-invasive due to its sparse, inviable seed. It may not be suitable for certain areas, nor combined with other plants in your garden.
However, be cautious as Rhamnus frangula was recently listed as an exotic invasive species to Missouri and the Midwest by the Midwest Invasive Plant Network. The species should not be planted in the Midwest, where it can invade natural areas.
If in doubt, it makes for a beautiful plant in a patio container.
Is a Buckthorn Rhamnus poisonous?
Although a Buckthorn Rhamnus shrub is beautiful, its berries are toxic if ingested. To protect your children and pets, it's best to plant them in hard-to-reach areas.
Does a Fine Line® Buckthorn shrub lose its leaves?
Yes. This super hardy shrub will drop leaves in the fall and make room for new leaves in the spring once the weather warms up again.
What problems should I expect when growing a Fine Line® Buckthorn
A Fine Line® Buckthorn is likely to experience some form of crown rust, also known as leaf rust. This is caused by the fungus Puccinia coronata avenae.
The fungi’s spores travel by air and can come from nearby affected plants. Its symptoms include the appearance of small, orange pustules on leaves, leaf sheaths, stems, and panicles.
Applying fungicide can protect your shrubs. However, it should be timed during flag leaf emergence. If the flag leaf already shows signs of curling leaves and yellow pustules, you must prune out the affected leaves to save the rest of the plant.
What is the best growing zone for a Buckthorn Rhamnus shrub?
Buckthorn Rhamnus shrubs can thrive well under extreme conditions, so they can remain hardy in growing zones 2-7.
Planting & Handling Help
Download our Planting and Handling Guide below to plan for a successful arrival and install of your plants. Be sure to water all plants as soon as they arrive and every day until you’re ready to plant. Keep any bare root bundles in a shady, cool spot with the roots covered at all times.
Learn More
Watch our videos on handling bare root plants, how your order is prepared for shipment and more.
Plant Sizing
What is the difference between Containers, Grow Bags, Bare Root, and Balled & Burlap (B&B)?
Shipping Times
Our FedEx and local shipping times depend on two factors, one is by the region and the second is the type of product being shipped. For example, small fruits are only shipped in spring, but majority of our perennials are shipped from spring until fall. Keep in mind the dates below act as a general guide. Due to unpredictable weather, staffing, inventory and industry demands these timelines can change. Therefore, we cannot guarantee any of these times.
Shipping Dates by Region*
Northern Cold Region: April 22nd - November 7th
Northern Region: April 15th - November 7th
Middle Region: April 1st - November 7th
Southern Region: March 15th - November 7th
Local Delivery (small radius from Waterloo, WI): April 22nd - November 7th
Shipping Dates by Season*
Spring Shipping: Region Start Date (above) - May
Fall Shipping: September - November
Due to unpredictable weather, these times may vary. Some varieties are exceptions due to heat and plant health reasons. Enter your shipping zip code at the top of this page and be sure to check the shipping information on each product before you add it to your cart. If the product is too large or restricted in your state, you will not be able to checkout with that item in your cart.