Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), proposed by Akène
🌿 A robust shrub with vitamin-rich fruits and multiple benefits 🌿
Sea buckthorn is a thorny perennial shrub that can grow up to 5 meters in height . It is recognizable by its narrow grayish-green leaves , which give it a unique silvery hue , and its clusters of orange berries , abundant from mid-summer until autumn .
🌱 Extremely resistant , it withstands extreme cold, drought and poor soils , while playing an essential ecological role:
✅ Nitrogen fixer , it naturally improves soil fertility .
✅ Its dense root network limits erosion , ideal for sloping terrain .
✅ Its nutrient-rich berries feed birds at the end of the season .
💡 Sea buckthorn is dioecious : you need a male plant and a female plant to produce fruit. Since it is impossible to distinguish the sex of the seedlings , it is recommended to plant 3 or 4 to ensure production.
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : April to May
📏 Height : 500 cm
🌱 Spacing : 400 cm
☀️ Exposure : Sun, partial shade (best fruiting in full sun)
🌿 Life cycle : Perennial
🌾 Soil type : Sandy to loamy, well drained
💧 Soil moisture content : Medium
🦌 Deer Resistance : High
📦 Seeds per packet : 25
Sowing and cultivation
📏 Sowing depth : 5 mm
🌡 Germination time : 20 days
❄️ Cold stratification : 60 to 90 days
⚡ Scarification : Gentle sanding then soaking
🔹 Indoor method (recommended for better germination) :
1️⃣ Lightly rub the seeds between two sheets of fine sandpaper to weaken their envelope.
2️⃣ Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours .
3️⃣ Mix them with moist vermiculite and place them in an airtight bag in the refrigerator for 60 to 90 days .
4️⃣ After stratification, sow 5 mm deep in well-drained potting soil.
5️⃣ Do not let seedlings dry out during establishment.
🔹 Outdoor method :
🌿 Sow directly in the fall for natural stratification during the winter.
💧 Water lightly until seedlings are established .
🌱 Replanting :
🌿 When the first true leaves appear, transplant into individual pots .
🌿 Grow in pots for the entire first season , then transplant into open ground in the fall .
💡 First fruiting after 3 to 4 years .
⚠️ Warning – Dioecious plant
🌿 A male plant is needed to pollinate female plants .
🌸 A male can pollinate up to 6 females .
📌 Since it is not possible to distinguish the sex of the seedlings, it is recommended to plant several plants .
Medicinal and culinary uses
🍊 An exceptional superfood
- Ultra-vitamin berries : 10 times more vitamin C than citrus fruits!
- Rich in antioxidants, omega-7, vitamins A and E.
- Excellent for the immune system and skin health .
🥣 How to consume sea buckthorn berries?
- Juice or smoothies : Blend with apples or oranges to soften the acidity.
- Jams and syrups : Their tangy taste adds a unique touch.
- Sauces for meat or fish : For a fruity and tangy note.
- Sea buckthorn oil : Used in cosmetics for its regenerative properties.
🥣 Recipe: Sea buckthorn and honey jam
🌿 Ingredients :
- 500 g sea buckthorn berries
- 250 g of honey
- 1 lemon (juice and zest)
- 100 ml of water
🔥 Preparation :
1️⃣ Heat the berries with the water over low heat for 15 minutes .
2️⃣ Add the honey and lemon juice.
3️⃣ Let simmer for 10 more minutes , then mix.
4️⃣ Pour into sterilized jars and store in the refrigerator.
🍽 Delicious on bread, pancakes or as an accompaniment to yogurt!
Ecological roles and utilities
🐝 A natural nitrogen fixer : Improves soil fertility and promotes the growth of neighboring plants.
🐦 A food source for wildlife : Its berries are a feast for birds in late summer.
🏞️ A powerful soil stabilizer : Its deep roots prevent erosion on sandy or sloping land.
☀️ Ultra-resistant : Tolerates drought, intense cold and poor soils .
Companion plants
🌿 Eleagnus, Saskatoon berry, Blackcurrant, Elderberry
Enemy plants
🌿 None known
Why grow sea buckthorn?
🍊 An ultra-resistant shrub with nutritious fruits
🐝 An excellent nitrogen fixer to enrich the soil
🐦 A food source for wildlife and a soil stabilizer
🍽 Versatile berries in cooking and natural medicine
🌿 Add sea buckthorn to your garden to enjoy an ecological, resistant and vitamin-rich crop!