Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae rhamnoides

Elaeagnaceae · broadleaf deciduous shrub · introduced

Last updated March 9, 2026

Data Coverage 2 of 6 dimensions

Site Data

Threats

Cultivars

Phenology

GDD Thresholds

Puget Sound

Quick Facts

Height

10 ft

Spread

8 ft

Growth Rate

Fast

Light

Full Sun

Soil

Wet Tolerant

Water

Low

Hardiness

Zone Zones 3b–9b

Bloom Time

March to April

Origin

extends from Europe to the Altai Mountains of central Asia,

Stage	Typical Window	What to Look For
Bud break BBCH 07	Feb 15-Mar 15	Buds swelling and beginning to open; first green tissue visible
Bloom start BBCH 61	Feb 15-Mar 31	First open flowers visible; flowers yellow; wind-pollinated
Bloom end / petal fall BBCH 69	Mar 15-Apr 15	Last petals falling; flower structures fading
Leaf emergence BBCH 11	Mar 1-Apr 1	First leaves fully unfurled on new growth
Fruit/seed development BBCH 71	Jun 1-Aug 31	Fruit or seed structures forming; fruit color: orange
Fruit/seed maturity BBCH 85	Sep 1-Nov 30	Fruit fully colored and ripened; seed dispersal may begin
Fall color / leaf senescence BBCH 93	Oct 1-Nov 15	Leaves changing color; fall display beginning
Dormancy BBCH 97	Nov 15-Feb 28	Leafless; no active growth; dormant buds set