Sea buckthorn varieties: thornless, high-yielding, undersized, early maturing

The currently known sea buckthorn varieties amaze the imagination with their diversity and colorful palette of characteristics. To find an option that is ideal for your own garden and meets all your wishes, you should familiarize yourself with a brief description of the various varieties. It is also important to take into account the recommendations given by breeders in relation to the peculiarities of growing sea buckthorn in different regions of the country.

Classification of varieties

Now it is difficult to imagine that even less than a century ago, sea buckthorn was considered a wild culture growing in Siberia and Altai, where sometimes it was mercilessly fought with it, as with weed... The true benefits of the small, sour yellow berries that abundantly cover the branches of a sprawling bush with sharp thorns were later appreciated.

Since the 70s. Of the twentieth century, more than seven dozen varieties of sea buckthorn were bred by domestic scientists. They differ in many characteristics: the size and color of the fruit, yield, taste, height and compactness of the bushes, and can also grow in different climatic conditions.

According to the ripening time of the fruits of the sea buckthorn variety, it is customary to divide into three large groups:

• early maturing (yield in early August);
• mid-season (ripen from late summer to mid-September);
• late ripening (bear fruit from the second half of September).

According to the height of the bush, these plants are:

• undersized (do not exceed 2–2.5 m);
• medium-sized (2.5-3 m);
• tall (3 m and more).

The shape of the sea buckthorn crown can be:

• spreading;
• compact (in different variations).

Indicators of frost resistance, drought resistance, resistance to diseases and pests in different varieties of sea buckthorn are high, medium and weak.

The fruits of this culture, depending on taste, have a different economic purpose:

• sea ​​buckthorn varieties for processing (mainly with sour pulp);
• universal (sweet and sour taste);
• dessert (the most pronounced sweetness, pleasant aroma).

Fruit color also varies - it can be:

• orange (in the vast majority of sea buckthorn varieties);
• red (only a few hybrids can boast of such berries);
• lemon green (the only variety is Herringbone, considered decorative).

Distinguishes between different varieties of sea buckthorn and fruit size:

• in a wild-growing culture, they are small, weighing about 0.2–0.3 g;
• varietal berry weighs on average 0.5 g;
• "champions" with fruits from 0.7 to 1.5 g are considered large-fruited.

Sea buckthorn varieties are also divided in terms of yield:

• in the first cultivated hybrids, it was 5–6 kg per plant (now it is considered low);
• opinions differ regarding the average yield - in general, indicators of 6-10 kg can be considered as such;
• high-yielding varieties include many modern varieties that allow picking from 15 to 25 kg of berries from one plant.

A good variety of sea buckthorn, as a rule, combines several important qualities at once:

• high productivity;
• complete (or almost complete) absence of thorns;
• dessert taste of fruits.

Therefore, further division, which is based on only one of the characteristics, will be rather arbitrary. However, it is well suited to visualize the variety of sea buckthorn varieties and the strongest points of each of them.

The highest yielding sea buckthorn varieties

This group includes varieties that, with proper care, consistently bring generous yields every year. They are grown not only in the gardens of amateur farmers, but also in professional farms for large-scale processing and harvesting.

Sea buckthorn varieties without thorns

Sea buckthorn shoots, abundantly covered with sharp, hard thorns, initially made it difficult to care for the plant and the harvesting process. However, breeders have painstakingly worked to create varieties that do not have thorns, or with a minimum of them. They performed this task brilliantly.

Sweet varieties of sea buckthorn

It would seem that the taste of sea buckthorn cannot be imagined without a pronounced characteristic "acidity". Nevertheless, the modern assortment of this culture will certainly delight lovers of sweets - dessert berries have a pleasant aroma and a high sugar content.

Large-fruited sea buckthorn varieties

Sea buckthorn varieties with large berries (about 1 g or more) are highly appreciated by gardeners.

Low-growing varieties of sea buckthorn

The small height of the bushes of some varieties of sea buckthorn (up to 2.5 m) allows you to pick fruits without using auxiliary devices and ladders - most of the berries are at arm's length.

Sea buckthorn varieties with high frost resistance

Sea buckthorn is a northern berry, accustomed to the harsh and cold climate of Siberia and Altai. However, breeders have made efforts to develop varieties with record resistance to frosty winters and low temperatures.

Male varieties of sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is classified as a dioecious plant. On some bushes ("female"), exclusively pistillate flowers are formed, which subsequently form fruits, while on others ("male") - only staminate flowers, producing pollen. The sea buckthorn is pollinated by the wind, therefore a necessary condition for the fruiting of female specimens is the presence of a male growing nearby.

Young plants look the same at first. Differences become noticeable in 3-4 years, when flower buds begin to form.

Currently, special "male" pollinating varieties have been developed that do not produce fruits, but generate a significant amount of pollen. Such a plant will be enough for one in the garden for 10-20 female bushes of another variety.

In fact, this information is highly questionable. To date, not a single variety of this culture has been entered into the State Register, which would be considered self-fertile. The gardener should remain vigilant. It is possible that under the guise of a self-pollinating variety of sea buckthorn, he can be offered a narrow-leaved goose (a related self-fertile plant), a prototype obtained as a result of mutations (but not a stable variety), or a female plant of any of the existing varieties with "male" grafted into the crown shoots.

Classification of varieties by fruit color

The berries of most varieties of sea buckthorn delight the eye with all shades of orange - from delicate, shimmering golden or linen, to bright, fervently blazing with a reddish "blush". However, there are several options that stand out from the general ranks. Sea buckthorn varieties with red fruits, not to mention the lemon-green Herringbone, will become a true "highlight" of the garden plot, causing surprise and admiration for their unusual appearance.

Orange sea buckthorn varieties

Examples of varieties of sea buckthorn with orange berries are:

Red sea buckthorn

There are few varieties of sea buckthorn with red fruits. The most famous of them:

Sea buckthorn with lemon green berries

The beautiful Herringbone, no doubt, will delight those who are interested not only in the harvest, but also in the original, creative design of the site. In this case, it is definitely worth purchasing and planting this rather rare variety. Its bush really resembles a small herringbone: it is about 1.5-1.8 m tall, the crown is compact and dense, has a pyramidal shape. Silvery-green leaves are narrow and long, gathered in whorls at the ends of the branches. The plant has no thorns.

Fir-trees ripen late - at the end of September. Its berries have a unique lemon-green color, but at the same time they are small and very sour in taste.

This variety of sea buckthorn is considered resistant to mycotic wilting, frost and temperature extremes. He practically does not give overgrowth.

Classification of varieties by maturity

The ripening time for sea buckthorn fruits varies from early August to late September. It directly depends on the variety and on the climatic conditions of the region in which the bush grows. The rounded shape of the berries and their bright, rich color are signs that the time has come to harvest.

Early ripe

In the first half of August (and in some places even earlier - at the end of July) gardeners are delighted with berries by those varieties of sea buckthorn that are early ripe.

Mid-season

Sea buckthorn varieties of average ripeness ripen a little later. You can pick berries from the second half of August until the beginning of autumn. Examples include:

Late ripening

Late-ripening sea buckthorn varieties in some regions (mainly southern ones) are capable of producing crops even after the first frosts hit. Among those:

Classification of varieties by date of registration in the State Register

Another option for the conditional separation of varieties is suggested by the State Register. The first "in seniority" in it are those who began the miraculous transformation of the wild sea buckthorn, through the efforts of scientists, step by step, brought it into line with the desires and needs of man. And those opposite which new dates are displayed are the best examples of the achievements of breeding science at the present stage.

Old varieties of sea buckthorn

Sea buckthorn varieties, bred by breeders in the second half of the last century, can be conditionally referred to as "old". Nevertheless, a significant part of them have not lost their popularity to this day:

• Chuiskaya (1979);
• Giant, Excellent (1987);
• Ayaganga, Alei (1988);
• Sayana, Zyryanka (1992);
• Botanical amateur, Muscovite, Perchik, Panteleevskaya (1993);
• Favorite (1995);
• Pleasing (1997);
• Nivelena (1999).

Professional farmers and amateur gardeners still value these varieties for their healing qualities, high content of vitamins and nutrients, winter hardiness and drought resistance, proven over the years. Many of them are large-fruited, tasty, fragrant, look decorative and give a good harvest. Due to this, they continue to successfully compete with new varieties and are in no hurry to give up their positions.

New varieties of sea buckthorn

Over the past ten years, the list of the State Register has been supplemented by many interesting varieties of sea buckthorn, demonstrating the latest achievements of breeders. For example, we can name some of them, the characteristics of which have already been given above:

• Yakhontovaya (2017);
• Essel (2016);
• Sokratovskaya (2014);
• Jam, Pearl Oyster (2011);
• Augustine (2010);
• Openwork, Lights of the Yenisei (2009);
• Gnome (2008).

As you can see, the emphasis was on eliminating many of the shortcomings inherent in earlier varieties. Modern hybrids are distinguished by better resistance to diseases, unfavorable climatic conditions and the external environment. Their fruits are larger and tastier, and the yield is higher. The priority is also a low growth of bushes and more compact crowns, which allows you to plant more plants in a limited area. The absence of thorns on the branches and the not too dense arrangement of berries sitting on long stalks greatly simplifies the care of the bush and harvesting. All this, undoubtedly, pleases connoisseurs of sea buckthorn and attracts the attention of those farmers who previously preferred not to plant this plant on the site, fearing the difficulties associated with its cultivation.

How to choose the right variety

You need to carefully and carefully choose a sea buckthorn variety for your own garden. It is necessary to take into account the climatic features of the region, take into account the indicators of winter hardiness of the plant and its resistance to drought, pests and diseases. It is equally important to pay attention to the yield, growth and compactness of the bush, taste, size and purpose of the fruit. Then the choice will almost certainly be successful.

The best varieties of sea buckthorn for the Moscow region

For successful cultivation in the Moscow region, it is advisable to choose sea buckthorn varieties that are not afraid of temperature changes characteristic of this region - a sharp alternation of winter frosts with prolonged thaws.

Excellent options for the gardens of the Moscow region will be:

• Botanical;
• Botanical aromatic;
• Rowan;
• Pepper;
• Beloved;
• Muscovite;
• Trofimovskaya;
• Pleasing.

Sea buckthorn varieties without thorns for the Moscow region

Separately, I would like to highlight the varieties of sea buckthorn without thorns or with a small number of them, suitable for the Moscow region:

• Augustine;
• Moscow beauty;
• Botanical amateur;
• Giant;
• Vatutinskaya;
• Nivelena;
• Gift to the garden;
• Excellent.

The best varieties of sea buckthorn for Siberia

The main criterion for the selection of sea buckthorn varieties for cultivation in Siberia is frost resistance. It should be borne in mind that varieties that are resistant to cold can freeze after the onset of a thaw and do not tolerate the summer heat well.

Recommended for growing in Siberia:

• Altai news;
• Chuiskaya;
• Siberian blush;
• Orange;
• Panteleevskaya;
• A golden ear;
• Sayan.

Seabuckthorn besshorn varieties for Siberia

Among the thornless or low-prickly varieties of sea buckthorn, the following are well suited for Siberia:

• Beloved;
• Nugget;
• Chechek;
• Sunny;
• Minus;
• Giant;
• In memory of Zakharova;
• Altai.

The best varieties of sea buckthorn for the Urals

In the Urals, as in Siberia, wild sea buckthorn grows freely, so the climate is well suited for varieties that can withstand sharp drops in temperature and a lack of moisture. The sea buckthorn shrubs recommended for planting in this region are distinguished by frost resistance, yield, medium or large fruits:

• Giant;
• Gratifying;
• Elizabeth;
• Chanterelle;
• Chuiskaya;
• Ginger;
• Inya;
• Excellent;
• Sunny;
• Amber necklace.

The best varieties of sea buckthorn for central Russia

For central Russia (as, indeed, for the Moscow region), sea buckthorn varieties of the European selection direction are well suited. Despite the rather mild climate, winters here are often harsh and not very snowy, and summers may well be dry and hot. European varieties tolerate sharp temperature changes better than Siberian ones.

Well established in this region:

• Augustine;
• Nivelena;
• Botanical amateur;
• Giant;
• Vatutinskaya;
• Vorobievskaya;
• Moscow pineapple;
• Rowan;
• Pepper Hybrid;
• Zyryanka.

How to care for sea buckthorn in the middle lane, how to feed it, what problems you most often have to face, the video will tell you in more detail:

Conclusion

Sea buckthorn varieties for a personal plot should be selected taking into account the climatic and weather conditions of the region where they are to grow. A large selection of options allows you to find, among the achievements of modern breeding, bred for a specific zone, the ideal combination of qualities that satisfies the needs of the most demanding gardeners. The main thing is to carefully read the characteristics of the varieties and take into account their strengths and weaknesses, so that caring for sea buckthorn is not a burden, and the harvests are pleasing with generosity and stability.

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