How and where to grow sea buckthorn plants in the garden? What do you have to consider when cutting sea buckthorn? We give tips on care and how to use the fruit as sea buckthorn juice, oil and liqueur.
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) in your own garden? A few years ago, the plant was still considered a real exotic plant, but the bright orange shrubs have now become a real trend among hobby gardeners. Rightly so - because sea buckthorn is not only a real eye-catcher in every garden, its he althy fruits are also a real superfood and can be used in many ways. We will tell you here how you can achieve high yields over many years, which care measures are necessary and what the fruits of the sea buckthorn can be used for.
Sea buckthorn: origin and properties
Originally, the sea buckthorn comes mainly from Nepal. From here it spread across the entire Caucasus to China, Canada and Scandinavia. During the first Ice Age, the plant from Central Asia also came to Central Europe, so that today it is also considered native to Germany. The sea buckthorn is considered the most important representative of the olive tree family (Elaeagnaceae).
By the way: Its Latin name can be translated as "shining horse" - because for centuries the sea buckthorn was actually primarily considered a medicinal plant for animals and was particularly useful for grooming horses Bet.
Because of the diverse uses of sea buckthorn as a foodstuff, however, it had only been cultivated in Germany since the end of the 1960s in the GDR and deliberately grown on a large scale. Today, China is the international pioneer in sea buckthorn cultivation, while France has taken the lead in Europe. Especially in the French Alps, a confrontation with the extraordinary plant is not uncommon, not least because it finds its way into all shops for French speci alties there via regional processing. In addition to the bright orange-red and oval-shaped fruits, which adorn the branches of the up to six meter high shrubs in large numbers, the sea buckthorn can also be recognized by its narrow, grey-green and white-silver hairyLeaves arranged alternately. On the other hand, the small green-brown flowers that bloom in spring between March and May on the shoots from the previous year are relatively inconspicuous. The sea buckthorn is also dioecious, which means that there are only male or female flowers on a plant. For this reason, the female plants can only bear fruit if they have first been pollinated by a male partner in the immediate vicinity.
The Best Sea Buckthorn Types and Varieties
In addition to the wild sea buckthorn, there is now also a selection of cultivated forms that are particularly suitable for growing in the garden. In the garden trade, a distinction is often made between male and female cultivated forms, with only the female later developing the distinctive orange-red fruits. Here is an overview of the best sea buckthorn varieties for growing in the garden.
Female Sea Buckthorn Varieties
Female sea buckthorn plants are the most common in the garden, as they are the only ones that produce the orange fruits that can be harvested from August to the end of September. From March to April, the female sea buckthorn plants also show inconspicuous greenish-brown flowers. The most popular fruiting sea buckthorn varieties in the garden include:
'Askola':
- Strong-growing variety that reaches heights of up to 5 m without pruning
- Good regeneration after pruning, but prone to breakage in the wind
- Very dense fruit set with deep orange, sweet and sour fruits
- Moderate spination
'Frugana':
- Strong, upright growth up to 4 m tall
- Strong regeneration after pruning, but at risk of wind damage
- Early variety with fruit ripening from the beginning of August
- Many glossy orange fruits; Juice with a mild taste
- Low branching and spining
'Hergo':
- Medium, upright and well-branched habit; Slightly overhanging with heavy curtains
- Very good regeneration after pruning; particularly weatherproof
- Particularly productive; light orange, colour-unstable fruits
- Quick harvest necessary, otherwise fruits will go rancid
'Leikora':
- Strong, compact and wide upright growth
- Good regeneration after pruning
- Late variety with fruit ripening from the beginning of September to the end of October
- Dark orange, droplet-shaped fruits
- Particularly slow vitamin C breakdown afterHarvest
Male Sea Buckthorn Varieties
If you don't just plant sea buckthorn for aesthetic reasons, but also want to enjoy the fruit, it is essential to plant a male sea buckthorn in your garden as well. Only in this way can the female sea buckthorn plants be pollinated and develop their fruit. In the garden trade, the male breeding form of sea buckthorn is usually marketed under the name 'Pollmix'. These are other strains that have been bred for heavy pollen production. They are differentiated according to the time of flowering:
'Pollmix'
- Male sea buckthorn cultivar, therefore no fruit
- Brown-orange blossoms
- Valuable pollen donor
- Very Hardy
- A total of four different types, which differ in their flowering start
- 'Pollmix 1': early flowering, almost thornless
- 'Pollmix 2': Medium early flowering, strong spines
- 'Pollmix 3': mid-early to late flowering, slightly spined
- 'Pollmix 4': mid-early flowering, few thorns
Growing sea buckthorn tree in the garden
Sea buckthorn is becoming more and more popular. No wonder more and more gardeners want their own sea buckthorn bush. Luckily, growing sea buckthorn in the garden is relatively straightforward once you know what to look for.
Planting sea buckthorn in the garden
The best time to plant sea buckthorn in the garden is between October and November or late February. Sea buckthorn prefers airy, sandy soil that has a slightly acidic to basic environment and is not too rich in nutrients. At least a third of the sand should be mixed in with heavy soils. The lighter the soil, the less is needed here. On the other hand, if the soil is sandy, mixing in potting soil can encourage higher yields. It is best to use a compost soil that contains a lot of phosphorus but not too much nitrogen. Our Plantura organic potting soil would therefore be best suited, as its natural release of phosphorus promotes good root growth and supports the development of flowers and fruit. Very sandy soils are best mixed with such a suitable potting soil in a ratio of 1:1. The sea buckthorn also needs a lot of light. Therefore, a very sunny location without shading from other trees is perfect.
Sea buckthorn is known for its wide, sparse growth.Ideally, therefore, it should be planted in such a way that it has at least three meters of space on either side to expand. In addition, gardeners who dream of a sea buckthorn should know that the plant forms foothills and can thus spread across the garden. Using a root barrier and regularly removing offshoots can be useful measures to keep the spread in check.
Tip: As already mentioned, the sea buckthorn is dioecious, which is why you should always plant female varieties together with a male variety. A male plant can usually pollinate at least four to five female plants - more depending on the variety. Optimally, the male plant should be aligned downwind to the other female sea buckthorn plants. Alternatively, sea buckthorn is now also available as a self-pollinating variety, such as the 'Friesdorfer Orange' variety, but the yields are usually lower.
Planting sea buckthorn in the bucket
Sea buckthorn can also survive for a few years in a bucket, but it needs enough space here too. The bucket for the sea buckthorn should be at least 60 centimeters in diameter. Ideally, sea buckthorn plants should be regularly repotted in larger containers. It is also recommended to use citrus plant soil, which is mixed with about a third of sand and unbroken expanded clay. Special attention must be paid to the care of the sea buckthorn in the bucket: Since the pot volume and thus the capacity of nutrients is limited, it is advisable to supply the sea buckthorn with a little fertilizer from time to time, such as the liquid Plantura organic citrus and Mediterranean fertilizer . It is also worth repotting the sea buckthorn in the pot regularly every few years and then treating it to new soil and a solid organic flower fertilizer with a high phosphorus content. In general, however, the plant thrives better and is less complicated in the ground.
Care for sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is generally considered to be extremely robust and easy to care for in the garden. In order for the plant to thrive, however, it should be given some attention and care from time to time.
Water and fertilize sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn in the garden is a heat-resistant plant and extremely drought-resistant, which is why the watering can and garden hose can safely be put aside - the only exception: sea buckthorn in the bucket may have to, for example in very hot summers,be watered additionally, as less substrate is available and the soil in the pot dries out faster. On the other hand, waterlogging should be avoided, as the sea buckthorn is sensitive to it. The plant is just as undemanding as when it comes to watering when it comes to the supply of nutrients, because the sea buckthorn fertilizes itself to a large extent. It covers its nitrogen requirements through the symbiosis with nodule bacteria in the root area. Only in the first few years does this process not work smoothly, which is why fertilization is recommended. For this, the use of good potting soil is sufficient, or you can use an organic long-term fertilizer such as our Plantura organic flower fertilizer or a small amount of compost is available. If you can't work the organic fertilizer into the surface well, simply soak it in water for a few hours, stir and then pour the fertilizer into the pot. Finally, the whole thing should be covered with a thin layer of bark mulch.
Cut sea buckthorn
Regular pruning of sea buckthorn in the garden is essential to ensure a good harvest every year. When harvesting together with the shoots, an additional cut is of course unnecessary. Newly grown shoots should generally not be shortened, because the shoots from the previous year always bear the fruit.
If the fruits are not harvested together with the shoots, a cut should be made every two years from the second year in late winter. The harvested shoots are cut back to short approaches. In the case of particularly strong-growing varieties, the sea buckthorn can also be thinned out a little. You can even let male varieties grow for three to four years without pruning them. Even after that, only a maximum of half of the shoots should be cut so that there is enough pollen for the fertilization of the female varieties in the next season. Shrubs that are too dense can also be pruned and dead branches removed all year round. This ensures that the innermost parts of the shrubs are always supplied with sufficient light. As during the harvest, you should wear gloves to protect yourself from injury when cutting.
Tip: If you have two or more female plants, prune them alternately each year - this way you can maximize your yield!
Summary - How to cut sea buckthorn:
- Wear Gloves
- Prune in late winter before flowering begins
- Prune female varieties every 2 years, male varieties every 3 - 4 years
- Prune old shoots back to the roots, young shoots are not pruned
- Prune cautiously on male plants, also leave old wood standing
- Thin out all year round as needed
Winter sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn is prepared for all climatic conditions and is usually hardy down to - 43 °C. However, young plants should spend their first winter in the greenhouse before being planted outside.
Propagating sea buckthorn
Propagating sea buckthorn is child's play - in fact, it is usually more difficult to limit the propagation of sea buckthorn in the garden. It spreads very quickly through its foothills and forms dense hedges if you don't take countermeasures.
However, if you specifically want to raise offspring, there are various options. The easiest way is to use the foothills. You can either simply let them continue to grow at their location if this matches the desired location. However, if you prefer to plant the plants in another part of the garden, you can cut off the rooted offshoots together with a piece of root that is as long as possible and replant it in the desired place in the garden.
Another method of propagating sea buckthorn is subsoiling. A shoot that grows near the ground and on the outer edge of the sea buckthorn can be used as a sinker. Now a narrow furrow is dug, in which the selected shoot is placed and covered with earth. Only the tip of the shoot should be sticking out of the ground at the end. In the case of shoots that are under tension, it can also be helpful to weigh the whole thing down with stones from above - but the shoot should under no circumstances break off. Roots will gradually form in the lowered section, resulting in an independent plant. As with the stolon, this can either remain at its location or be cut off the following year and planted at its new destination.
You can also use sticks to attract new plants to the sea buckthorn. For this purpose, middle pieces about 15 to 20 centimeters long are cut from the shoots of the sea buckthorn in winter.Strong shoots from last year are best suited for this. The stick should be at least two knots (nodes) long. Now it is placed in a pot with loose, nutrient-poor potting soil so that only the upper third looks out. You can use our Plantura organic herb and seed soil very well for this. In order to increase air permeability and rooting success, we recommend mixing 30% sand into the potting soil. In the near future the cuttings should be in a cool (but frost-free), shady and wind-protected place. The pot must never dry out completely, but waterlogging should be avoided. After the sticks begin to sprout, you have to wait about three weeks before you can plant the sea buckthorn in a suitable spot in your garden.
Tip: Propagation through cuttings is considered to be more demanding than through runners or sinkers. Since plants usually do not actually grow from all the sticks, it is advisable to use several sticks at the same time if you want to grow a plant.
Summary - how to propagate sea buckthorn from sticks
- Cut off sticks (15 - 20 cm long central part of a shoot with at least two leaf nodes) in winter
- Plant the sticks in a pot with potting soil so that only one third sticks out
- Place in a windless, cool and shady place.
- Keep moist but avoid waterlogging.
- Plant out in the garden about three weeks after the cuttings have sprout
Is sea buckthorn poisonous?
The sea buckthorn may have a deterrent effect with its thorny branches, but neither fruit, leaves nor flowers are poisonous. On the contrary: The berries are considered extremely he althy, taste incredibly delicious and can be consumed in any quantity without hesitation.
Harvest sea buckthorn
Sea buckthorn fruits are usually ripe between September and October, with some varieties even as early as August. Harvest maturity can be recognized by the fact that the fruits take on their brightest colour. Theoretically, it can be harvested until spring, but the taste suffers and hungry animals like to nibble on the fruit. Anyone who already suspects that harvesting the tasty fruits from the thorns will not be child's play is unfortunately spot on: To avoid injuries, gardeners should therefore not pick the berries without oneReap the protection of thick gloves. Many also use a fork or a berry comb to help push the berries off the branches.
However, the later the harvest, the better the chances that the berries can simply be shaken off the branches and caught with a cloth. How firmly the berries are attached to the shoots varies from variety to variety. It is also a common practice to chop whole branches into small pieces and then flash freeze them to be able to shake off the berries afterwards.
Use the he althy sea buckthorn fruit in the kitchen
The sweet and sour taste as well as their high content of vitamins (C, E and B12) and beta-carotene make the sea buckthorn fruits a real regional superfood. They are considered anti-inflammatory and particularly helpful in the fight against colds and fever. Regular intake of sea buckthorn juice is also recommended during pregnancy to ensure vitamin supply.
Although it is generally safe to eat the fruit raw, it only becomes really tasty when it is cooked. There are no limits to creativity - sea buckthorn is particularly popular in the form of fruit puree, juice, jam, jelly, syrup and liqueur. Another way to preserve the fruit is to dry it. After that, they are a delicious addition to tea or can be processed into powder, which can then be used in a variety of ways. You can also press the fruit and extract valuable sea buckthorn oil from it, which is used more for cosmetic purposes.
But not only the berries of the sea buckthorn can be used in the kitchen: its leaves are also used in numerous ways. Due to their high content of vitamin C and antioxidants, the leaves are a real insider tip when it comes to a he althy diet. Sea buckthorn leaves are particularly popular as a tea, but sea buckthorn leaves are also used in cosmetics or for circulatory or wound-healing medicines.
Another fruit that is excellent for various products such as jams is the rosehip. You can read more about this in our special article.