Harvest Moon Sea Buckthorn

Harvest Moon Sea Buckthorn is a variety released in 2005 by Bill Schroeder through COPF, specially developed for the Canadian Prairies and northern Great Plains. This unique cultivar is derived from open-pollinated seedlings of Hippophae rhamnoides var. mongolica, with seeds originating from the Altai Mountains in Siberia, Russia. 

Harvest Moon offers a reliable yield of 10-12 kg per plant, with berries ripening in early August. The medium-sized, reddish-orange berries have an average weight of 87 grams for every 100 berries. Harvest Moon's flavour profile combines a perfect blend of sweet and sour notes, with a harmonious fusion of zesty undertones and delicate hints of exotic fruits such as pineapple and mango. It features minimal soft thorns concentrated at branch tips, making them ideal for hand harvesting. A great addition for any food forest or shelterbelt!

The Sea Buckthorn berry is high in vitamins C, E, K, carotenes, flavonoids, amino acids and is high in antioxidants. Equally impressive are its uses: jams, jellies, sauces, wine, tea and why not get creative and make a wonderful sorbet, also excellent to add to your homemade skin-care products!

The Sea Buckthorn shrub is very hardy and will adapt to a variety of soil conditions. Drought tolerant once established after a few seasons, it is nitrogen fixing and tends to sucker if not controlled. 

Growers Note: Harvest Moon is the female cultivar and will need the male plant Lord planted nearby for pollination. We recommend a maximum of 7 female plants to each male. Although drought tolerant once established, it is recommended that Sea Buckthorn have regular watering or irrigation for the first few seasons.

Hardiness Zone: 2

Height at Maturity: 2.8 meter (9 feet)

Spread: 2 meter (6 feet)  

Soil Preference: Well drained 

Light Exposure: Full sun

Pollination: Self-sterile (Needs a Male pollinator tree) 

Latin Name: Hippophae rhamnoides 'Harvest Moon'