Plant library
Pioneer species
Sea Buckthorn
Hippophae rhamnoides
Zones 3–8
A coastal-hardy nitrogen fixer that laughs at salt spray, sand, and drought — and pays you back with armfuls of vitamin-C-packed orange berries.
Sun
Full sun
Water
low
Spacing
6-8 ft apart (needs a male pollinator)
Soil
Sandy, poor, even salty soil, pH 5.5-8.0
Difficulty
easy
Zones
3–8
When to plant
Mar
Apr
May
Timing shifts with your zone — the Genie can pin down exact dates for you.
How to care for it
Plant one male for every 5-8 females in early spring. Once established it needs no irrigation, no fertilizer, and no spraying — shear annually to keep berries within reach.
Good companions
Sea buckthorn hedges shelter berries and fruit trees
Harvest
Pick berries after the first frost softens them, or cut whole branches and freeze to shake the berries off.
Want a plan for growing Sea Buckthorn?
Your Genie can give exact timing and care for your zone.
