Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

Also known as

Sallow Thorn, Seaberry

Full Sun

Moderate care

Light watering

Frost Hardy

RHS hardiness

-20°C

Minimum temperature

Expected size

Height		Spread
8m	Max	8m
4m	Min	4m

20 years to reach maturity

Fruiting

spring
summer
autumn
winter

Edible berries may be harvested in the summer, these are used for culinary purposes such as pies, jams, teas and wines.

More images of Sea Buckthorn

A close up of a Hippophae rhamnoides flower

A Hippophae rhamnoides plant in the wild

A close up of a Hippophae rhamnoides tree branch with orange fruits

Sea Buckthorn Overview

Hippophae rhamnoides is also known by the common names sea buckthorn, sallow thorn, swallow thorn and willow thorn. It is a large, deciduous shrub species that produces thin, willow-like foliage with a silver colouration and thorny shoots. Small, yellow-green flowers lead onto attractive, bright orange berries. These are only produced on female plants as this species is dioecious and thus produces male and female flowers on individual plants. The berries are edible and nutritious but have a sour, astringent taste and are much better consumed after cooking as raw they are rather oily and not very nice to eat.