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Shrub

Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

Shrub with edible berries (very sour; high vitamin c). Excellent tough shrub for challenging OK sites; very thorny; superb nutrition

EdibleMedicinal
At a Glance

What to know before finding it a place.

SunFull sun
WaterLow water
System layerShrub
Plant typeShrub
Plant spacing6-12 ft
Mature size6-12 ft / 6-10 ft
Chill hours800-1200
Soil pH5.5-8.0
HarvestSep–Oct
Expected yieldAbundant (female)
TrellisNo
Central Oklahoma

Growing notes for our conditions.

Regional fit still depends on the actual site—especially drainage, exposure, irrigation, soil and the specific cultivar selected.

Oklahoma notes

Excellent tough shrub for challenging OK sites; very thorny; superb nutrition

Disease resistance

Excellent; extremely drought tolerant

Pruning

Prune for size; shape after harvest

Care

Extremely nutritious berries; very sour — best juiced or made into jam; nitrogen fixer

Drought tolerance

High once established

Pollination & Production

Plan the partners before planting the tree.

Pollination reference

For fruiting plants, compatible bloom timing and nearby partners can matter as much as the cultivar itself.

PollinationDioecious
Partners required1 male per 6-7 females
Compatible partnersLeikora (F) + Pollmix (M); Hergo (F) + Pollmix (M)
TimingEarly spring wind-pollinated
Oklahoma planting tipVery thorny — plan access; use male as windbreak behind females
Variety Selection

The cultivar can matter as much as the species.

These references help narrow the large number of named varieties to options better aligned with Zone 7A conditions, disease pressure and useful harvest windows.

Zone 7A Recommended Varieties

Leikora (F)Hergo (F)Pollmix (M)

These are recommendations carried in the Organix Zone 7A reference database. They are not automatically the same as a cultivar personally proven by Organix on every site; site conditions and availability still matter.

Landscape Role

How this plant can function in a larger system.

Landscape functions

Edible; Attractor; Nitrogen Fixer

Edible parts

Berries (very sour; high vitamin C)

Companion plants

Fruit trees, Native plants

Community / companion role

Pollination: Dioecious (M+F plants); Compatible partners/pollinators: 1 male per 6-7 females; Companions: Fruit trees, Native plants

Food-forest layer

Shrub

Oklahoma classification

Secondary

Soil, Fertility & Care

Support the plant without overcomplicating the system.

Soil preferences

Preferred pH 5.5-8.0

KNF / fertility schedule

Minimal

Maintenance

Prune for size; shape after harvest

Use this as a planning reference.

Plant performance varies with microclimate, soil, drainage, water, maintenance and cultivar. Organix uses the library to narrow good candidates, then makes final selections around the actual site.

Edible and medicinal tags describe traditional or practical plant uses in the landscape and are not medical advice. Always verify identification, preparation and individual suitability before consuming a plant.