Hippophae Rhamnoides Hergo Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae Rhamnoides Hergo Sea Buckthorn
Hippophae Rhamnoides Hergo is a deciduous female sea buckthorn well suited to coastal gardens and exposed sites where other plants struggle to grow.

Hippophae Rhamnoides is the UK’s native sea buckthorn that’s often seen growing wild in the chalky downs of our southern counties. Hippophae Rhamnoides Hergo is a native German variety. Better known as Sea Buckthorn Hergo or more simply Female Sea Buckthorn this flowering and fruiting shrub is just as tough as the UK’s native sea buckthorn but has fewer thorns.

In the spring Sea Buckthorn Hergo sprouts narrow grey-green leaves on its spiny stems that last throughout the summer. These are joined by small inconspicuous pollinator-friendly yellow flowers that turn into large clusters of pale orange berries full of vitamin C. Foliage matures into autumnal yellowy-orange shades before falling in winter.

This is one of the best plants for coastal sites and exposed conditions. It also fixes nitrogen into the soil making it a good companion for nitrogen loving plants such as beans and legumes.

Height And Spread of Hippophae Rhamnoides Hergo
Sea Buckthorn Hergo is an upright suckering shrub that will reach a maximum height of 4 metres and spread over 3 metres. You can restrain its height with gentle pruning in late winter.

How Hardy Is Hippophae Rhamnoides Hergo
Sea Buckthorn Hergo is more than hardy enough to withstand our winters. They are drought-tolerant and disease-resistant once established, and tough enough to cope with coastal sprays and exposed conditions throughout the UK.

How To Use Hippophae Rhamnoides Hergo
Coastal gardens and those exposed to strong cold winds are difficult to plant but female sea buckthorn will happily grow in these conditions.
Use Sea Buckthorn Hergo as cover along a fence line by either tying in the branches or letting it grow bushy. Sea buckthorn has thorns as the name suggests, so it’s a good choice for security. It can also be grown as a statement shrub as it's autumn berries are particularly attractive.
When planted up with a male sea buckthorn to pollinate the flowers in the summertime it makes an excellent fruiting hedge which can be left for birds to enjoy or harvested and made into buckthorn jam.

How To Care For Hippophae Rhamnoides Hergo                                                                        
Female Sea Buckthorn is tolerant and hardy so it needs very little care. Plant yours in any well-drained soil in a bright and sunny position. Water until it’s established and add a layer of mulch in springtime to top up nutrients.