Sea buckthorn is a plant of the Sucker family. It is appreciated for its unpretentiousness, high productivity, compactness and, at the same time, decorativeness. The most difficult thing for a gardener is not to get confused in the variety of varieties and opt for one that is optimal for a particular garden.

Varieties for different regions

The height and shape of this plant is very diverse - it can be a single-stemmed powerful tree, or it can be a dense thorny bush. In this matter, it all depends on the variety.

There are three main types:

1. Tibetan - A squat bush with a thick, winding trunk and short leaves, growing in the high mountains of the Himalayas and in China.
2. Loosestrife - a tree 5–11 m high with rather long and wide leaves, spread on the southern slopes of the Himalayas.
3. Buckthorn - dioecious deciduous shrub 1–6 m high with many different forms.

Buckthorn is growing on the territory of Russia. The vast range that it occupies testifies to its unique ability to adapt to the most diverse growing conditions in any climate zone. However, varieties can be classified, taking into account, first of all, their temperature preferences in the area where they grow.

Separate groups are focused on different regions:

1. Siberia.
2. Middle lane and Moscow region.
3. North-West of Russia (Leningrad region).
4. Karelia.
5. Ural.
6. Southern regions of Russia (Krasnodar Territory).

Wild sea buckthorn in large quantities successfully grows in Siberia, which confirms its ability to tolerate rather harsh conditions of survival. When starting to select a variety for a given region, the main criterion that must be taken into account is frost resistance. This group is one of the most extensive.

Cold resistant varieties include:

• Ayul;
• Sun;
• Giant;
• Openwork;
• Chuy;
• Altai;
• Excellent;
• Ginger;
• Pearl;
• Pepper;
• Jam;
• Christmas tree;
• Red Torch;
• Gift of Kotuni;
• Friend.

In the middle lane and in the suburbs, the climate is quite mild. However, when choosing the appropriate variety, you need to remember that low snowy harsh winters are frequent. And that means that here we need sufficient frost resistance and immunity to temperature fluctuations.

Important! For all frost-resistant sea buckthorn varieties, spring thaws and associated temperature differences fraught with negative consequences. They also badly tolerate extreme heat.

The properties in question have sea buckthorn with the names:

• Moscow beauty;
• Gift to the Garden;
• Muscovite;
• Nivelena;
• Beloved;
• Augustine
• Nizhny Novgorod Sweet;
• Frost;
• Gift of Moscow State University;
• Leucor.

The main quality of plant inhabitants of the North-West of Russia and the Leningrad Region can be considered the ability for a long time not to receive the right amount of sunlight without harm to growth, development and fruiting.

The following varieties are adapted to growth and development in the shade:

• Chuy;
• Excellent;
• Moscow Pineapple;
• Alei;
• Pleasing.

Separately, we can distinguish varieties that successfully take root in Karelia.

They have a high resistance to frost and are shade-loving:

• Giant;
• Golden Cob;
• Excellent;
• Zyryanka.

Varieties, whose home is the Urals, easily tolerate a limited amount of moisture and do not particularly respond to negative temperatures.

These include:

• Elizabeth;
• Gnome;
• Sunny;
• Pepper;
• Beloved;
• Giant;
• Chuy.

It can be assumed that in the South, in the Krasnodar Territory, any sea buckthorn will take root and grow without problems. But it is not so. It is necessary to choose the least winter-hardy options, which are not dangerous chaotic alternation of warming and frost.

Did you know? The content of serotonin (the hormone of happiness) is much higher in sea buckthorn berries than in bananas and chocolate.

It can be:

• Nugget;
• Shcherbinka.

The sweetest grades

At first glance, all varieties of sea buckthorn are similar to each other. This illusion is created by the predominance of “standard” colors: all shades of yellow, orange and red. However, there are many parameters by which these plants differ significantly among themselves. Sea buckthorn initially has a sour taste.

As a result of selection, sweet-tasting varieties were also obtained:

• Claudia
• Muscovite;
• Beloved.

Claudia

These are medium-tall bushes that still look like a tree.

Characteristic differences are:

• round in shape of a crown;
• the branches are not too densely arranged;
• weak spike;
• cylindrical berries;
• the fruits are large;
• color is orange, saturated;
• sweet taste.

Any processing method is possible. Claudia successfully resists diseases, it is not afraid of low temperatures.

Muscovite

Moskvichka grows, if conditions are favorable, up to 2.5 m, but at the same time it looks compact. Medium-late ripening period - starting from the last ten days of August.

It is distinguished by such features:

• the crown looks like a pyramid;
• thin, flowering shoots;
• there are many spikes;
• the leaves are concave due to the developed central vein;
• berries are almost round (about 0.7 g);
• the fruits of the usual orange color with reddish dots;
• fragrant aroma and sweetness of fruits.

Harvest (up to 15 kg from the bush) tolerates long-term storage, despite such a feature as a very thin peel of berries. Muscovite is distinguished by endurance and resistance to diseases.

Important! At home, it is impossible to obtain high-quality sea-buckthorn oil due to the complexity of the process.

Beloved

This medium-sized and tall shrub has a dense crown. It grows to a maximum of 3 m.

The features of this variety include:

• round crown;
• the reverse side of thin leaves has a silver tint;
• average number of spikes;
• oval-shaped fruits weighing up to 0.7 g;
• berries have a dessert flavor.

Of the berries of this particular variety, sea buckthorn oil is most often made. Productivity reaches 15 kg. Severe weather conditions and various diseases are not afraid of the beloved.

High yielding varieties

Harvest of "standard" sea buckthorn can be up to 6 kg of berries. Not so long ago, varieties were obtained whose productivity was increased to 18–25 kg.

Among these champions:

• Nivelena;
• Gift of Moscow State University;
• Panteleevskaya.

Nivelena

This is a shrub whose crop ripens at the very end of summer.

It is characterized by:

• crown slightly resembling an umbrella;
• yawning shoots;
• there are very few thorns;
• small foliage juicy green;

• large yellow berries in the shape of a ball;
• the fruit has a fragrant sour flesh.

Nivelena is undemanding in care and is resistant to disease. She is characterized by good tolerance of long-term storage.

Productivity is usually within 8 kg.

Gift of Moscow State University

It grows to 2.5–3 m. Ripens not too late.

Main characteristics:

• fluffy crown;
• straight trunk with thick shoots;
• the approximate size of the berries is 12 × 10 mm;
• the weight of each berry is average;
• ripe fruits acquire a beautiful, amber-orange color;
• tastes sweetish.

The gift contains a large amount of vitamin C. Berries do not crumple during collection and transportation. Productivity can reach 20 kg. This variety is hardy and extremely ill.

Did you know? During the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, Chinese athletes were given a drink of sea buckthorn to achieve better results.

Panteleevskaya

This is a low-growing variety with a spherical crown. It ripens late - in the last decade of September.

Distinctive features:

• not too thick crown;
• there are almost no thorns on the branches;
• green foliage with a yellow tint;
• the shape of the berries is an elongated oval;
• weight up to 0.7 g;
• the fruits are red with an orange tint.

The variety is winter-hardy and drought-resistant. Productivity is 10–20 kg.

Large fruit varieties

Each sea buckthorn carries an uncountable number of berries. Large-fruited varieties include plants whose berry weight exceeds 0.8 g.

These are:

• Essel;
• Elizabeth;
• Augustine
• Openwork.

Essel

This tree-like plant belongs to the category of early - the berries ripen in early August.

General description:

• crown of regular oval shape;
• there are almost no thorns;
• berry in the shape of an egg, quite long;
• the weight of a large fruit can exceed 1 g;

• the fruit is orange, dark tones;
• the pulp is juicy and sweet, with barely noticeable acidity.

Essel is a winter-hardy and hardy plant with a yield of 10–13 kg.

Elizabeth

The bush is dwarf - minimum places in the garden. Matures late.

Differences among other varieties:

• compact crown;
• weak spiky;
• orange fruits resemble a cylinder externally and weigh about 0.8 g;
• dessert flavor with pronounced aroma.

It is characterized by winter hardiness, as well as resistance to insects and fungi. Care requires annual spring pruning. The berries are protected from damage by a strong skin, so they retain freshness for a long time. They can be canned or frozen.

Augustine

The fruits of Augustine ripen early - in the middle of summer. The latest date for the north is August, which determined the choice of name.

Distinctive features:

• wide crown with green leaves;
• spines at least;
• egg-shaped fruits;
• color - all shades of orange;
• clusters of large berries (weight up to 1 g);
• high productivity - up to 18 kg.

Harvest is easy to harvest when the fruit is fully ripened. The plant easily tolerates subzero temperatures and insufficient humidity, resistant to all adverse effects.

Openwork

This kind of sea buckthorn is unpretentious in the choice of soil and successfully adapts to any environmental conditions.

Important! Sea buckthorn is contraindicated for people suffering from gastrointestinal tract diseases and urolithiasis.

Main characteristics:

• magnificent crown;
• spring-free shoots;
• large fruits in the form of cylinders;
• habitual coloring;
• plentiful harvest in the early term.

Even in harsh climatic regions, the buds and shoots do not freeze. Not susceptible to most fungal infections characteristic of garden trees. It easily tolerates summer drought.

Harvested crops can be safely transported and stored for a long period of time before processing. Perhaps the use of fresh berries. They also practice freezing and preservation.

Varieties without thorns

Breeders have done a great deal of work in order to obtain plants without thorns. This achievement allows you to clean the entire crop efficiently, without fear of insidious spikes.

This useful quality is endowed with:

• Friend;
• Giant;
• Excellent;
• Altai.

Friend

This variety is adapted to cold climates. Average crop maturity.

In the description, such features are distinguished:

• not too wide crown, slight growth;
• thorns are completely absent;
• whitish and fluffy leaves;
• reddish-orange color of heavy fruits (berry weight 1 g).

The berries have a dessert flavor and a very thin peel, so they are consumed even without preliminary processing.

Giant

Using molding, an effective bush or a single-stem plant is obtained.

The choice of name was influenced by two indicators:

1. The plant itself reaches three meters in height.
2. Large-sized berries.

Main features:

• even before the formation, a resemblance to a cone is traced;
• straight trunk with rough bark;
• there are very few thorns;
• strong fastening of the stem;
• berries are orange, cylindrical;
• the taste of fruits is moderately sour.

The giant is not afraid of adverse effects, does not need special care.

Superior

Ripens in late summer.

This variety is characterized by:

• pyramid-shaped crown;
• dry spines are present, but in a small amount;
• dark green, medium in size foliage;
• round, orange berries weigh about 0.8 g;
• high productivity - up to 14 kg.

Due to its juiciness, the fruits are used to produce juice. For berries, a sea buckthorn fly is dangerous.

Altai

Harvesting, which greatly facilitates the absence of thorns, begins in late summer. The peduncle, separating from the fetus, does not damage the skin. Thanks to this, the shelf life of the berries is significantly extended.

Did you know? Sea buckthorn-based products are included in the menu of Russian astronauts due to the high content of vitamins and a number of minerals.

A number of distinctive features:

• compact crown of medium density;
• smooth branches;
• spikes minimum;
• berries with a sweet taste, smelling like pineapple;

• the weight of the fetus in the form of an ellipse reaches 0.7–0.9 g.

Harvest ripens by early fall. Altai requires regular watering. The lack of moisture negatively affects not only the appearance, but also the taste of the berries.

The most frost-resistant varieties

Where winters are especially harsh, the ability to resist freezing of the kidneys and timely exit from "winter hibernation" comes first.

Varieties with high frost resistance include:

• Ayula
• Pepper
• Jam

Ayula

Harvested at the very beginning of autumn. From the berries of this variety you can cook anything you want.

Distinctive features:

• not too dense rounded crown;
• smooth, straight branches;
• oval-shaped fruits, orange;
• taste with pronounced sourness;
• medium-weight berries.

Frost-resistant and hardy grade. But the yield is low - usually a little over 2 kg.

Pepper

By maturity, the variety belongs to the middle group. The purpose is more technical.

Main characteristics:

• medium-sized bush with a wide crown;
• spines at least;
• berries are small, in the shape of an egg (weight not more than 0.6 g);
• orange color of fruits;
• sour taste with pineapple smell.

Jam

The plant grows slowly, remaining stunted. The fruits can be eaten at the end of August.

Outwardly, a number of signs stand out:

• not very thick crown in the shape of a ball;
• fruits are elongated, reddish;
• dark spots are visible on the berries;
• the average weight of the berry reaches 0.7 g;
• the pulp is dense and juicy.

Use for home preservation and preparation of juices.

Undersized

Collecting sea buckthorn manually is a very time-consuming task. A little simplifies the task of a dense arrangement of berries. However, difficulties arise if the plant is high enough, i.e. harvesting requires the use of devices and additional time. If the bush is low, everything is much simpler.

This is the advantage of undersized varieties:

• Frost;
• A friend;
• Amber.

Important! Vitamin C is preserved in the composition of sea buckthorn in an unchanged amount, regardless of the type of processing of berries.

Ina

Inya ripens early and brings up to 10 kg or more.

Main characteristics:

• medium-tall bush, usually with several trunks;
• not very thick crown;
• the lower shoots are gray, and in the middle brown, with a slight shade;
• large leaves, dark green;
• the shape of the fruit is closest to the cylinder;
• reddish rosy berries;
• slightly sweet taste and pronounced smell.

The variety is hardy and frost-resistant.

A friend

Early ripening period.

Distinctive features:

• slightly spreading form;
• straight shoots of light brown color with a grayish coating;
• the green surface of the leaves is matte, smooth and leathery;
• berries are round or oval;
• average fruiting (up to 9 kg).

The variety is not afraid of cold weather and successfully resists fungi and insects.

Amber

This is a medium-tall shrub that pleases with an impressive harvest of more than 10 years. It starts to bear fruit not earlier than in 2-3 years, and at the age of 5 it gives the maximum amount - more than 10 kg. Late summer fruiting period. Berries are processed in every possible way.

Did you know? In ancient Greece, the plant was called a “glossy horse,” because the animals that grazed in its thickets were distinguished by their brilliant skin and beautiful mane.

In the description, it is important to note:

• rare spherical crown;
• almost completely smooth shoots;
• fruits of “red” color weigh 0.7–0.9 g;
• sweet and sour taste.

Amber without special difficulties adapts to difficult weather conditions, is rarely sick and is not afraid of pest attacks.

With red fruits

In gardening, not always the main thing is a heavy crop or maximum size. Sometimes you just want to grow something “extraordinary”. A tree with shiny scarlet fruits perfectly complements any landscape composition.

Berries of unusual appearance are characteristic of such varieties:

• Red Torch;
• Mountain ash.

Red torch

The fruits of this variety ripen closer to autumn. You can eat berries in any form.

The following features are noted:

• medium-sized shrub;
• rarely, but spikes are found on the shoots;
• the fruits are small;
• the pulp is sweet and sour;
• amber color;
• saturated smell.

Berries are removed without difficulty, processing occurs without loss of beneficial properties. You can get sea buckthorn oil, juice, jam, compotes, and also drying.

Important! Sometimes individual intolerance and allergic reactions to sea buckthorn and products prepared on its basis are found.

Mountain ash

Mountain ash is an almost two-meter tree.

It is characterized as follows:

• outwardly resembles a narrow pyramid;
• minimum spikes;
• maroon fruit color;
• light bitterness and juiciness of berries;
• to collect approximately six kg.

This name was not chosen by chance for the variety - externally and in taste, the fruits are close to mountain ash.

Men's varieties

When flower buds formed, differences between the sea-buckthorn plants by gender (until this time, they practically do not differ from each other). "Male" flower buds are much larger. There must be a male representative in the garden (at least one if there are 4-5 female trees). Neglecting this rule, it is impossible to get a rich harvest. It may not be at all. Planting a "man" is desirable in the immediate vicinity of the "female" variety, which will positively affect the pollination process.

Varieties that are directly involved in pollination are called:

• Gnome;
• Alei.

Gnome

The height of these bushes reaches 2.5 m. They are not able to obscure or interfere with female plants.

External signs and features:

• neat, small diameter crown;
• shoots are devoid of thorns;
• large green leaves are decorated with a yellow edge;
• high pollen performance.

It is extremely rare to get sick or is attacked by pests.

Alei

It is a barren, overgrown shrub.

Main characteristics:

• the crown is durable;
• spines are absent;
• large kidneys;
• high pollen viability.

Flower buds are characterized by winter hardiness and a long flowering period.

Reflecting on what kind of sea buckthorn to decorate your garden, it is necessary from the very beginning to decide on the purpose of planting and take into account all the conditions for successful growth. And then you can enjoy not only an attractive appearance, but also a plentiful harvest rich in vitamins and useful substances.