Chuyskaya Sea Buckthorn (Female)

Species: Hippophae rhamnoides

History: Chuyskaya sea buckthorn, aka Star of Altai, is one of the most popular varieties grown in Russia. 

Why We Grow It: This sea buckthorn variety is favourable thanks to its mild, sweet flavour - and we mean mild compared to other sea buckthorn varieties, so expect it to still have a delicious punch of tropical tartness! Makes a sunshine yellow juice. It's also thornless, which makes harvesting much easier. This variety is one of the smallest, reaching 5-7' tall at maturity. The leaves and young branches are suitable for animal fodder, which we can attest to from the hens that run around our retail area in summer, sampling from our potted sea buckthorn plants whenever Steph isn't around to chase them away. Sea Buckthorn have nodules on their roots which help fix nitrogen into the ground, and are a common plant in permaculture orchards for this natural 'fertilizer' effect on plants in its vicinity.

Canadian Hardiness Zone: 3

Soil Preference: Prefers clay loam but adaptable to different soil types

Growth Habits: Shrub reaches about 1.5m tall, produces good crops. 

Thorns: No

Sun/Shade: Full sun (approx. 8-10 hours of sun daily)

Pollination: Requires a male plant for pollination in order to produce fruit

Flowering Time: May

Bloom Colour: Yellowish-white

Ripens: Mid August 

Storage: Keeps up to two weeks in the fridge

Recommended Use: Cooking, baking, jam, wine, juice, tea (leaves), animal fodder (young branches)

Size: 1 year plant in 3" pot, ~30cm above soil