Sea Berries
This berry, also known as sea buckthorn, Siberian pineapple, and Sanddorn (in Germany) grows naturally in coastal areas from China to Sweden to Turkey. The Greeks were the first to recognize its benefits. Alexander the Great added the leaves and berries to horse feed in order to maintain health and add shine to coats. Hence the botanical name: hippo (horse), phaos (to shine). Medical texts from 1000 years ago from China and Tibet mention these berries. Seaberry was heavily cultivated in Eastern Germany and the Soviet Union for its high vitamin C content. Soviet cosmonauts took the juice into space. The Chinese are currently adding the leaves, bark and berries to more than 200 food or medicinal products. This exceptionally hardy and adaptable large shrub is a nitrogen fixer and also prevents erosion due to its extensive root system. It makes a great hedge or wildlife habitat. The slender gray-green leaves are similar in appearance to Russian Olive. The small yellow-green flowers are very frost resistant. The bright orange berries will hang on throughout the winter, providing food for birds. Seaberry will accept poor soil as long as it is not wet and heavy. The berries are too acid for fresh eating for most tastes, but make a good juice when combined with other fruits.
Sun: Full to 1/2 day
Years to fruit: 2-3
Height at maturity: 6-12 feet
Yield: Up to 30 pounds
Soil: Most Well-drained
Amber Dawn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
A variety from the area of Russia bordering Lake Baikal. Bears abundant crops of large, sweet berries that make high quality juice and jam. Thaw picked berries, press and mix with water and sugar or honey. Juice is quite acid, so it is usually best mixed with other fruit. Grows to be a broad-spreading shrub, 4-6 feet in height.
Fruit color: Bright Orange
Harvest time: July-August Cut off fruited branches and freeze.
Min temp: --40 degrees
Pollenizers: Needs male pollinizer. Is pollinated by the wind.
Garden's Gift (Hippophae rhamnoides)
This variety is a product of the breeding program at Moscow State University, Washington. It is a very pretty shrub, especially in the fall with its long pendulous branches hanging with abundant brightly colored berries. These large aromatic berries are especially good for juice or preserves.
Fruit color: Dark orange
Harvest time: Fall
Min temp: -- 40 degrees
Pollenizers: Needs male
Male (Hippophae rhamnoides)
A fine ornamental as well as good pollinizer. Will be 6 to 10 feet tall when mature.
Fruit color: Does not produce fruit
Bloom color: Dark Golden-Brown
Min temp: --40 degrees
Pollenizers: Used to pollinate up to 8 female plants, which are wind pollinated.
Russian Orange (Hippophae rhamnoides)
This sea berry is also known by its Russian name, Otradnaya. This is a very attractive vigorous medium-sized shrub with lush grayish green foliage. It produces abundant crops of very large flavorful berries.
Fruit color: Deep orange
Harvest time: Late summer
Min temp: --40 degrees
Pollenizers: Needs a male