Hippophae rhamnoides Orange Energy Hagebo

The Orange Energy 'Hagebo' Sea Buckthorn is a variety that is remarkable for its productivity. From September, the plants are covered with a multitude of large-sized light orange berries. Very decorative, they are also seedless and very rich in vitamin C and can be consumed in jams, jellies, syrups, and even sauces. The Sea Buckthorn is a moderately spiny bush of rapid growth that thrives in ordinary or poor soils. Plant it in a free hedge, a defensive hedge, or as a standalone plant.

The Sea Buckthorn is a member of the small family Elaeagnaceae, whose most well-known representative is undoubtedly the Elaeagnus, and which only has 3 genera in total (the third being Shepherdia). The Hippophae genus itself is also poor in species, with H. rhamnoides being the most widespread under names such as Sea Buckthorn, Siberian Olive, False Buckthorn, and many others depending on the region. It is native to temperate areas of Europe and Asia where it naturally grows as a very spiny bush, reaching up to 5 metres (16 feet 5 inches) in height, or even more. It is a pioneering plant capable of growing both on mountain slopes and in dunes. Although not a Legume, nodules carrying nitrogen-fixing bacteria develop at its roots, allowing it to grow in difficult environments. This allows it to be planted to rehabilitate poor soils and protect them against erosion.

Apart from a few self-fertile varieties, sea buckthorn plants bear either male or female flowers (dioecious plant). Pollination is carried out by insects. Fruiting then requires having a plant of the opposite sex, knowing that a male plant can pollinate five female plants. The berries will then be produced on the female bushes from the 2nd or 3rd year. The Orange Energy variety is a female variety, resulting from a hybridisation programme by the German breeder H.-J. Albrecht in Berlin. It can be pollinated by different male varieties such as Gnom, Pollmix, or Lord. The spring flowers, once fertilised, evolve into light orange berries, of a fairly large size for the species, with an oblong shape. From September until the heart of winter, they cover the bush which can then rival the beauty of any Pyracantha. Very rich in vitamin C (about 30 times more than an orange), the edible berries, quite acidic when raw, are used to make jams, syrups, or sauces that complement meats and fish very well.
Orange Energy has a flexible, fairly wide habit, with branches spreading in all directions, which contributes to its beauty when it is in full fruiting. It can reach 3 metres (9 feet 10 inches) in height if not pruned, with a width of about 2.50 metres, forming a beautiful volume covered with narrow and elongated leaves, about 5-6 cm (2-2.4 in) long and carried by a short petiole. Arranged alternately on the branches, they are of a fairly dark green on the top and grey on the underside. This extremely hardy bush (up to approximately -30°C (-22 °F)) adapts to the majority of soils, even poor and dry ones, and prefers full sun.

Very decorative in winter thanks to its particularly generous fruiting, this Sea Buckthorn can be planted as a standalone plant or in a flower bed, and will be perfect as a lively hedge in a natural garden, accompanied by other bushes with a wild appearance. The Cornelian Cherry (Cornus mas), with its very early yellow flowering and beautiful autumn colours, will also give you edible fruits. Being a source of nectar, it is also a special species useful to bees at a time when flowers are scarce. In the same spirit, the Ballerina Amelanchier will also be a good companion with its magnificent white spring flowering, followed by decorative and edible berries, initially bright red and turning black, not to mention its sumptuous autumn colours of red, orange, and purple.