Hippophae rhamnoides seeds - Sea buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn seeds make it fairly easy to propagate Hippophae rhamnoides, also commonly known as Sallow Thorn or False Buckthorn. This large shrub with dense branching bears greyish-green narrow leaves. This robust plant, resistant to cold and sea spray, capable of establishing itself even in poor soils as long as they are well-drained, is also useful. Its thorns create formidable defensive hedges, while female specimens produce yellow-orange fruits that are not only ornamental but also edible. Cold stratification helps to increase the germination rate, while the rapid growth of Sea Buckthorn quickly produces mature plants.

Sea Buckthorn is a member of the small Elaeagnaceae family, which includes only two other genera, Elaeagnus or Oleaster, widely used in hedges, and Shepherdia from North America, still little known, though equally interesting. Native to a vast area stretching from Western Europe (particularly along the English Channel coast) to northern China, Sea Buckthorn thrives both at altitude and on coastal dunes, where it plays an essential role in stabilising soils subject to erosion. It forms a dense, very thorny and vigorous shrub, capable of quickly reaching 3 to 5 metres in height and spread. Similar to Legumes (Fabaceae), its powerful root system can capture atmospheric nitrogen to enrich the soil. Its deciduous foliage consists of fine, elongated leaves, dark green on the upper surface and silvery on the underside. Sea Buckthorn is very hardy, tolerates temperatures as low as –30 °C, and adapts easily to periods of drought. A dioecious species, each specimen bears either male or female flowers. The small, greenish flowers, gathered in clusters, appear in early spring, before the leaves emerge. Fruit production requires the presence of both sexes, with a single male plant able to pollinate six to eight female specimens. From the second or third year onwards, female plants produce numerous spherical to ovoid, brilliant yellow-orange berries. They persist throughout winter, providing a valuable food resource for birdlife. They are particularly popular with Galliformes, including pheasants, so much so that in Germany they are called pheasant berries (Fasenbeere). Very high in vitamin C and antioxidant compounds, these fruits can be cooked to make jams, jellies or syrups, as well as being used in cosmetics, especially in the form of oil extracted from the pulp and seeds.

Undemanding and perfectly suited to poor or stony soils, Sea Buckthorn can grow in damp sands, preferably calcareous. As it suckers freely, it can also prove somewhat invasive. In return, it brings structure, colour and vitality to challenging spaces. It naturally finds its place in defensive hedges, where its thorny habit and abundant fruiting make it an excellent screen, while offering shelter and food for many garden beneficials. You can pair it with thorny Pyracanthas which, depending on the variety, will bring other berry colours. In a country hedge, it blends harmoniously with other species to vary the hues and forms, notably Spindle trees with autumn colour that will blaze at the end of the season, or Juneberries, which are ornamental in every season except winter. Sowing is an economical method of propagation to produce many plants, especially for creating a long hedge. However, be sure to reserve the sunniest spots for your Sea Buckthorn plants, as they do not tolerate even the slightest shade well.