Hippophae spp.

sea buckthorn

HardinessZones 3–8

Overview

Hippophae spp., the sea buckthorns, is a genus of about seven deciduous, thorny shrubs and small trees in the family Elaeagnaceae, native to temperate Europe and Asia. Plants grow 3-20 feet (1-6 m) tall with spiny branches and narrow, silvery grey-green leaves covered in tiny scales. The genus is dioecious, with small, wind-pollinated, greenish flowers borne on separate male and female plants before or as the leaves expand. Female plants ripen dense clusters of bright orange berries about 0.25-0.4 inch (6-10 mm) wide, rich in vitamin C, that cling to the thorny stems well into winter. Roots carry nitrogen-fixing nodules, letting the plants colonize poor, sandy, and coastal soils, and they tolerate salt spray and strong wind. The common H. rhamnoides is planted for hedging, shelter, erosion control, and fruit. Plants sucker freely from the roots and can spread into surrounding ground.

Native Range

Native to temperate Europe and Asia, from Atlantic and Baltic coasts across the continent to the Himalaya, Mongolia, and China. Plants grow on coastal dunes, riverbanks, gravel flats, and dry mountain slopes.

Suggested Uses

Used for windbreaks, coastal and sandy-site hedging, erosion control, and edible berries, spaced 3-6 feet (1-2 m) apart in screens. A mix of male and female plants is grown where fruit is wanted. The berries also feed birds through winter.

How to Identify

Recognized by narrow, silvery grey-green leaves on spiny, scaly branches, and by the dense clusters of orange berries crowded along the stems of female plants. Male and female flowers are small, greenish, and borne on different plants. The combination of thorns, silvery foliage, and bright clinging berries is easy to spot in autumn.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3' - 20'

Width/Spread6' - 12'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Small greenish flowers open in spring, generally March to May, before or with the new leaves, and are wind-pollinated rather than insect-pollinated. They are easy to miss, as they lack petals and scent. The main display comes later, when female plants carry orange berries from late summer into winter.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

greenish, inconspicuous

Foliage Description

silvery grey-green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years to fruiting

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Sea buckthorns grow in full sun and free-draining sandy, gravelly, or loamy soil, including poor and saline ground. They are highly drought and salt tolerant once established and fix their own nitrogen, so they need no feeding. Both a male and a female plant are required for the female to set berries. Shade and rich, wet soil reduce vigor and fruiting. Plants sucker strongly and can form dense thickets, which suits shelter belts but crowds small gardens. They are hardy to about USDA zone 3.

Pruning

Pruning is done in late winter to thin crowded or crossing stems and to shape hedges. Suckers are removed to keep the plants within bounds. Berry-bearing branches can be cut for picking, since the thorns make stripping fruit in place difficult.