The eagle-eating eagle (Rhamnus alaternus) is a evergreen Mediterranean shrub Very hardy and low maintenance, ideal for evergreen hedges, xeriscapes and coastal areas. It stands out for its leathery and shiny leaves, its honey bloom and its decorative fruits that range from red to black when ripe. It is a species dioecious, so to obtain fruit it is advisable to have a male and a female specimen. Its adaptability to poor, stony soil with little water supply making it a safe bet in gardens with warm, dry climates, and also in areas with moderately cold winters.
Botanical characteristics of Rhamnus alaternus
Belonging to the family of Rhamnaceae, the haladierno forms dense bushes or small trees, with a usual height of 3-4 m and a width close to 2 m under favorable conditions. It presents a branched and upright bearing, somewhat rigid, and colored branches dark brown that hold leaves alternate de 2–6 cm, whole or with margin slightly toothed, of variable shape (ovate, elliptical or lanceolate) and texture leathery.
The foliage is Persistent and lustrous, more deep green on the upper surface and somewhat paler on the underside. The flowering, discreet but aromatic and honey-producing, appears in bunches with small greenish-yellowish flowers in the axils of the leaves. Female specimens, in the presence of a male, bear fruit with globose berries of 4--6mm that change from Red a black when mature, very attractive to birds.
It is a plant extremely rustic and adaptable: tolerates low ambient humidity, soils poor and skeletal, and has minimum nutritional requirements. Its growth is middle finger (around 20–30 cm/year in good conditions) and, once established, shows a remarkable water autonomy.
Habitat and natural distribution
The aladierno is distributed throughout the mediterranean region and it is in maquis, chaparral, oak groves and pine groves, rising from sea level to heights of around 1300–1600 m asl It grows spontaneously in slopes, boundaries, forest edges y dry undergrowth where there is root competition and water scarcity. It adapts easily to both soils limestone , the siliceous, and also appears in substrates gypsicolas (rich in gypsum).
Its ecological plasticity explains its use in environmental restorations and reforestation after fires. In addition, it presents good tolerance to the coastal environment already the air salinity, which makes it valid for coastal gardens exposed to winds with saltpeter.
Care and cultivation of the buckthorn
ideal location
Choose a location to full sun or in light semi-shadeIn areas of intense sunlight, especially in extreme summers, semi-shade prevents the foliage from suffering. In hedges and rows, leave between 1 and 2 plants per linear meter for a quick and compact closure. If planted as a single specimen, respect 1,5-2,5 m compared to walls or other species, since, although it does not have invasive roots, it is advisable to give it space for its canopy.
Prefers soils well drainedEven stony and very skeletal. It is indifferent to pH (tolerates limestone and siliceous) and has low needs of nutrients. For planting in open ground, work the hole and improve drainage with record If there is compaction, use a potting soil that drains but retains some moisture (e.g., 60% universal substrate + 30% coarse sand + 10% perlite) and a pot with good water outlets.
The best planting seasons are autumn or the end of the winter after the risk of severe frost. In cold climates, protect the base with padded (straw or dry leaves) to preserve the roots, especially in their first winter.
Water in a way moderate: During the first year, 2–3 weekly waterings in summer and spaced out the rest of the season, always allowing the surface layer to dry between applications. From the second year onwards, in Mediterranean soil and climate, you can living with rainwater except during prolonged heat waves. In a pot, adjust to one watering regular but not excessive to avoid flooding.
The subscriber may be limited to an annual application, coinciding with the general subscription of the garden, with organic material (mature compost, humus or well-rotted manure). In a container, it provides liquid organic fertilizers slow release during the growing season to sustain vigor without excess.
It supports well the pruning, which is done for compress the plant, remodel hedges and sanitize old or damaged wood. Practice pruning light in late winter or after fruiting, avoiding severe coppicing in midsummer. In hedges, cut regularly to maintain a dense volume and stimulate fine branching.
It is a species that is not very problematic, although it can be affected by aphid, defoliation caterpillars y mealybugs under stressful conditions. Among the diseases, the most notable is roya, which causes pustules and spots. Improve aeration, avoid overwatering, and apply specific treatments when necessary. The presence of honey-producing flowers attracts pollinators and the mature plant houses auxiliary fauna beneficial.
Propagation: seeds and cuttings
It spreads easily by seeds and by cuttingsFor successful sexual reproduction, collect fruits very ripe, extracts and cleans the seeds. A cold stratification helps to homogenize germination: place them in slightly damp sand in the refrigerator for a few 12 weeks and sow in spring in a draining substrate, maintaining constant humidity without saturation.
Multiplication by cuttings shortens deadlines and clones the mother plant. Take semi-woody cuttings at the end of summer or woody at the end of winter, 10–15 cm, remove basal leaves, apply rooting hormones and plant in vermiculite or a very aerated mix. Store high ambient humidity and mild temperature (20–22 ºC). Rooting is usually rapid under stable conditions.
Ornamental, landscaping and medicinal uses
The buckthorn is excellent for persistent hedges, Slopes, shrubby clumps , as a windscreen in coastal areas. In hedgerows, a density of 1–2 plants per linear meter offers an effective closure. It provides perennial structure and color throughout the year, with fruits that feed the birds in the cold season. It can even be used as a bonsai, although it is not the most common.
In addition to its ornamental value, parts of the plant have traditionally been used for medicinal purposes. astringents and purgativesThe fruits are very purgative and can be toxic at high doses; any medicinal use should be prudent and advisedIn gardening, this feature suggests caution if there are children or pets.
Varieties and selection: Rhamnus alaternus 'Argenteovariegata'
The form motley 'Argenteovariegata' has greyish to dark green leaves with silver cream margins, contributing a light effect continuous. Maintains a bearing bushy and upright, with growth middle finger, and reaches 3-3,5 m tall by 1,5-1,75 m width on floors fertile and drained. The flowering, honey-like and fragrant, is discreet; female specimens, in the presence of a male, produce red berries that turn black. It should be protected from more intense sun in extreme climates to preserve variegation.
It is suitable for dry undergrowth with tree roots, areas stony and gardens of Rib with exposure to saltpeter. Along with plants adapted to the Mediterranean climate, constitutes an essential palette for persistent dry gardens.
The buckthorn in xeriscaping and coastal gardens
For its ability to thrive with minimum irrigation, the aladierno is a pillar in xeriscaping and coastal gardens. In combination with gravel, rockeries and Mediterranean groundcovers, it offers a result sophisticated and sustainable. On tolerance to saltpeter makes it a key resource in maritime borders, where other shrubs suffer. In poorly watered undergrowth, among oaks or pines, it behaves as a SUV able to consolidate the design.
- Ecological groups: native, persistent, evergreen and adapted to coastal areas.
- Humidity: low to medium; preference for dry summers and spaced irrigations.
- Compatibilities: magnificent companion of hardy, mastic, filarial y strawberry trees.
Resistance, hardiness and additional maintenance
The waladierno supports intense heat y moderate cold. It moves within a rusticity approximate to 7 zone, tolerating severe cold episodes in drained soil. However, in its early years, it is advisable quilt the foot and avoid prolonged flooding. The combination of low fertility and good drainage favors your long-term health.
The plant is dioecious: To see fruits it is essential to have male and female close. Sexual identification often requires observing the flowers in season. Meanwhile, its flowering attracts hymenoptera and other pollinating insects, enhancing the biodiversity of the garden.
Common problems: in very calcareous soils it may appear iron chlorosis in pot cultivation; correct with iron chelatesExcessive shade reduces the flowering and Density. The excess irrigation causes rot; prioritizes management austere in water once established.
