Sea buckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 10 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Edible vitamin-C-rich orange berries. Need male + female for fruit. Suckers, naturalized hedge or windbreak.
On the CSU listlow to medium water10 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wideXeric / water-wise
Photos
- Photo 1: "Hippophae rhamnoides 01" by Sanja565658 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
- Photo 2: "Sanddorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)" by blumenbiene is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 3: "Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn)" by Arthur Chapman is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 4: "Hippophae rhamnoides (Sea Buckthorn), Sevan Botanical Garden2" by Arthur Chapman is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 5: "Hippophae rhamnoides 051012" by Jürgen Howaldt is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en/.
- Photo 6: (c) Нурхайдарова Татьяна, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Нурхайдарова Татьяна
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 8
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- sandy, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 10 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~15 ft apart (10 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Not rated
Things to know before you plant
- SuckersIt suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds.
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Planting & establishment
Water sparingly even during the first summer, these xeric species are prone to crown rot from overwatering, especially in clay. Once established, no supplemental water needed.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Sea buckthorn good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Sea buckthorn is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Sea buckthorn?
- The main things to know: It suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds. It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas. It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Sea buckthorn get?
- It matures to about 10 to 20 ft tall and 8 to 15 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Sea buckthorn?
- Space Sea buckthorn about 15 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 10 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Sea buckthorn hardy on the Front Range?
- Sea buckthorn is hardy in USDA 3 to 8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Sea buckthorn need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Sea buckthorn grow?
- Sea buckthorn is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Sea buckthorn native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
