Sea buckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 10–20 ft tall and 8–15 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 water10–20 ft tall and 8–15 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Hippophae rhamnoides
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Friesdorfer Orange', 'Pollmix'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 10–20 ft tall and 8–15 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~15 ft apart (10 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- sandy, loam, clay
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Pollinator value
- moderate
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.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
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 10–20 ft tall and 8–15 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 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–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.
- Is Sea buckthorn deer-resistant?
- Sea buckthorn is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Sea buckthorn a good firewise plant near the house?
- Sea buckthorn is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
