Hippophae rhamnoides
Sea buckthorn, Cornish seaberry
- Height × spread
- 5m × 8m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This very tough plant has a mass of branches that give it a tangled, windswept, appearance. It can be found on the coasts of Britain and Ireland. It's especially noticeable on windy sites. The foliage is a silvered-grey and it will produce orange-red berries if plants of both sexes are present. These greatly enhance the beauty of the foliage since they are often borne with great freedom. You need about one male to every six female plants to achieve the best fruiting regime. Seemingly, birds dislike the berries, which have a very acidic taste. The plant has thorny shoots and can be used to create a security hedge.
- Foliage colour
- Green, Grey
- Fruit colour
- Orange
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 5m
- Spread
- 8m
- Height in 10 years
- 3m
- Spread in 10 years
- 4m
- Season of interest
- Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Mediterranean garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil, Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Hedge, Structural, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- Yes, stems are prickly/thorny
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during drought
After three or four weeks without rain, except for drought tolerant plants, those in the ground often get stressed. Adopt the habit of deep-watering one section of the garden each day. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Encourage plants to develop good root systems by giving occasional deep watering. Some plants, such as conifers and heathers, do not show much sign of distress so water these if in doubt.
Summer
Summer - late · Planting
Prune to maintain the plant
Pruning is done in winter when the plant is dormant as otherwise it can 'bleed' badly if cut. Keep the plant looking attractive and healthy by removing dead branches, removing branches that cross or rub each other and those which spoil its appearance.
The plant is encouraged to develop a pleasing shape by removing deviant or dead growth. It is much more likely to remain healthy if branches that rub, or can rub each other are removed, since the rubbed spots can be places where disease is introduced.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Hedges · Planting
Suitable for an informal hedge
If left to grow naturally this is a hedge that has an informal growth habit that gives it a natural, or some may say, 'untidy' look.
Planting
Protect & support young trees
Attach a newly planted tree or tall shrub over 1m to a tree stake to give support and prevent windrock. Use a tree guard to stop tree bark being eaten by animals, especially in areas with deer - removing bark injures a tree and in worst case can kill it.