General
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a hardy, thorny, deciduous nitrogen-fixing shrub valued for bright orange, vitamin-rich berries and for stabilizing sandy, coastal sites. It tolerates wind, salt spray, drought, and poor soils, making it excellent for tough, sunny positions. Plants sucker from the base and can form thickets; use root barriers where spread is undesirable. Cultivars vary in thorniness, berry size, oil content, flavor, and ripening time. It is dioecious—separate male and female plants—so plan for pollination (typically 1 male per 6–8 females).
Light
Full sun (at least 6–8 hours direct sunlight daily).
Soil type
Well-drained sandy or gravelly loam. Tolerates poor, dry, and saline soils; avoid waterlogging. Prefers neutral to alkaline conditions.
Water requirement
Low once established. Moderate and regular watering the first 1–2 seasons; thereafter only during prolonged droughts.
Nutrient requirement
Low. A nitrogen-fixing shrub; do not add nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Light compost or potassium-rich amendments in spring on very sandy soils.
Precultivation
Sea buckthorn is most reliably established from certified nursery plants (named male and female cultivars). Propagation from seed is possible but seedlings are variable and sex is unknown until flowering. For seeds: cold-stratify 6–8 weeks (moist medium at 1–5°C), then sow shallowly (3–5 mm) in early spring at 18–22°C with bright light. Keep evenly moist, not wet. Prick out to individual pots after true leaves develop. Hardwood cuttings and suckers taken late winter or early spring also root well.
Planting
Plant in full sun. Space 1.5–2.5 m between plants and 3–4 m between rows if grown as a hedge/orchard. Ensure very good drainage; raise beds or add coarse sand/gravel on heavy soils. Adjust pH toward neutral/alkaline with garden lime if needed. Do not over-fertilize (no nitrogen). Plant when air temperatures are consistently ≥8–10°C and soil is workable. Water in thoroughly and mulch with coarse organic material, keeping mulch clear of stems. Place male plants slightly upwind of females for best pollen transfer. Install a root barrier if you need to limit suckering.
Pruning
Prune in late winter before strong sap flow, or immediately after harvest in midsummer. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing wood, and thin out a portion of the oldest stems (over 4–5 years) to encourage new, productive shoots. For harvesting convenience, many growers cut fruiting laterals with berries and freeze them before stripping, which doubles as renewal pruning. Avoid heavy pruning during flowering.
Maintenance
Mulch annually to conserve moisture and suppress weeds. Water young plants regularly for the first two seasons, then only during extended dry spells. Do not apply nitrogen; if leaves appear pale on very sandy soils, use a light, balanced, chloride-free mineral feed or rock dust emphasizing potassium and micronutrients. Maintain good sun exposure and air flow. Netting may be needed to protect ripening fruit from birds. Monitor and remove root suckers where spread is unwanted.
Harvest
Berries ripen from late August to October, often sweetest after the first light frost. Harvest is challenging due to thorns and fruit attachment. Methods: (1) Clip fruiting twigs and freeze; once frozen, shake or strip berries off; (2) Hand-pick with berry combs and gloves; (3) Gently twist ripe berries if cultivar has easy-detach fruit. Use promptly or freeze. Fruit is very rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, and oils—ideal for juices, sauces, syrups, and cosmetics.
Common issues
• Waterlogging and root rot: ensure sharp drainage and avoid heavy soils. • Spring frost can damage flowers—choose a site with good air drainage. • Sea buckthorn fruit fly (Rhagoletis batava) in some regions: collect and destroy infested fruit, use early netting with fine mesh, encourage natural predators. • Aphids/scale: wash off with water, use soft soap, and promote beneficial insects. • Nutrient imbalance on very poor sands: mild potassium/micronutrient supplementation; avoid nitrogen fertilizers. • Excessive suckering: mow or spade off suckers; install root barrier if necessary.
Pollination
Dioecious and wind-pollinated. Plant at least one male for 6–8 females. Position the male upwind of females relative to prevailing spring winds.
Companion plants
Drought- and sun-loving plants that like neutral-alkaline soils: thyme, oregano, lavender, santolina, sea thrift (Armeria), yarrow, sedums, spring bulbs. Groundcovers that tolerate dry roots (e.g., creeping thyme) help suppress weeds.
Incompatible plants
Acid-loving plants (blueberry, rhododendron, heather) and moisture-demanding species that dislike alkaline, dry sites. Avoid planting in heavy clay or areas with high water table.
