sea buckthorn

Also known as: sallow thorn; swallow thorn; willow thorn

Large deciduous shrub about 6m tall, with narrow, willow-like, silvery leaves and thorny shoots. Very small, yellow-green flowers in racemes during spring, are followed by small, bright orange berries on female plants

Scientific classification

Species: sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
Genus: Hippophae
Family: Elaeagnaceae

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Toxicity: Shrubs
Plant type: 4-8 metres
Height: 4-8 metres
Spread: Deciduous
Foliage: Bushy
Habit: Spring · Summer · Autumn
Season of interest: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

sea buckthorn pictures

Distribution of sea buckthorn

Distribution map

Eurasia

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Culture

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Toxicity

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Quick identification of sea buckthorn

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sea buckthorn care guide

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings
Watering: Full sun
Sunlight: Information to be completed
Ideal temperature

Watering

Moderate regular watering, allowing brief slight drying between soakings

Fertilizing

Balanced perennial feed every four weeks from spring through summer

Pruning

Little pruning is needed. Remove diseased, damaged, crowded or crossing shoots and unwanted growth. Timing depends on the plant: generally late winter or early spring; plants prone to bleeding and deciduous magnolias need different timing, and deciduous azaleas and lilacs are pruned after flowering.

Propagation

Please see cultivation notes

Growing

This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild in NORTHERN IRELAND and the REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information

More growing and care information →