About
A fast-growing, thorny, deciduous small tree or large shrub, reaching approximately 8m tall with an equal spread. It has slender, silvery-green leaves which briefly turn a pale yellow in autumn before falling. Clusters of stalkless golden brown 'flowers' develop before the leaves which, for females plants - as long as a male plant is also planted - develop into orange-yellow berries.
About the genus
Hippophae are deciduous shrubs or small trees, with narrow, silvery leaves and inconspicuous flowers followed on female plants by orange fruits; both male and female plants must be grown for a good crop of berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
AspectEast-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed
UK hardinessH6
Plant details
Plant typeTrees, Shrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesWildlife gardens
Native toChina, Mongolia
Care notes
CultivationGrow on any moisture-retentive soil. Fixes nitrogen into soil. Has male and female plants, so both sexes needed for berries to form. For more information see tree cultivation.
PruningPruning group 1; but can be pruned to an informal hedge
PropagationPropagate from seed (it may benefit from 3 months cold storage first) or semi-ripe cutting in summer. For more advice see our information on how to propagate from seed (tree/shrub
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility