Seabuckthorn – Male

Description

A good pollinator for the female varieties we offer (which produce the fruit), our Male Seabuckthorn variety is also a fine ornamental with large, dark golden-brown, flower buds. One Male plant can pollinate up to 8 female plants.

Very Popular in Eastern Europe, Russia and China, Seabuckthorn is a new and very valuable plant for North American gardeners. Also known as Sea Berry, Seabuckthorn is prized for its exceptional ornamental value, tasty and healthy fruit, and the ability to grow in and improve poor soils by fixing nitrogen. In late summer and fall, large clusters of bright orange-yellow berries cover the branches and, on some varieties, can persist well into winter.

Seabuckthorn fruit is very high in Vitamin C (about 7 times more than lemons), Vitamin A, and E, and has a pleasant acidic flavor which, when sweetened, makes delicious juice. During the Cold War, East Germany used Sea Berry as a healthful substitute for orange juice. The fruit is also unique for its oil content, which is used as a treatment for burns and skin diseases as well as for ulcers and other illnesses. You will often see Sea Buckthorn as an ingredient in many nutritional supplements and cosmetics.

Fruit is harvested by hand or by cutting off the fruit laden branches and freezing them. The frozen berries can easily be shaken off and, after thawing, make great juice and preserves. Like cranberry juice, Sea Berry juice is usually diluted with up to 70% water or other juices.

Latin Name: Hippophae rhamnoides
Site and Soil: Sea Berry likes full to 1/2 day sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description: Self rooted
Pollination Requirements: Sea Berry is wind pollinated. A male sea berry is required and can pollinate up to 8 females. The male plant does not bear fruit.
Hardiness: Sea Berry is hardy to minus 40° F.
Bearing Age: Zone 3.
Size at Maturity: 6 – 10 ft.
Bloom Time: April
Ripening Time: July – August depending on location.
Yield: Up to 30 lbs., depending on variety.
Pests & Diseases: Sea Berry is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 3