Hippophae rhamnoides

RHS Plant Profile
sea buckthorn

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sea buckthorn visionspictures.com
sea buckthorn visionspictures.com
sea buckthorn RHS

Other common names

sallow thorn, swallow thorn, willow thorn

Shrubs Trees
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This plant is listed as an invasive non-native species in Northern Ireland – see Cultivation section for details. A large deciduous shrub or small tree to about 6m tall, with narrow, willow-like, silvery leaves and thorny shoots. Small yellow-green flowers are produced in spring. These are followed by small, bright orange fruits on female plants

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Elaeagnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Hippophae are deciduous shrubs or small trees, with narrow, silvery leaves and inconspicuous flowers followed on female plants by orange fruits; both male and female plants must be grown for a good crop of berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Eurasia

How to Grow

Cultivation

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the Wildlife (Northern Ireland) Order 1985 as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause it to grow in the wild in Northern Ireland. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information

Propagation

See cultivation notes

Pests

See cultivation notes

Diseases

See cultivation notes