Sea buckthorn (Ribes) – an evergreen shrub of the buckthorn family, widely used as both a decorative and fruit-bearing plant. An adult bush grows up to 1–4 m in height, featuring dense, rounded leaves with a silverish-green tint and bright orange berries formed in rings on the branches. The berries vary in size from 0.8 g to 2 cm, have a sweet-and-sour taste, and are rich in vitamin C, E, carotene, flavonoids, and antioxidants.
For growing sea buckthorn, sunny locations with moderate soil moisture and good drainage are preferred. The bushes begin to bear fruit after 3–4 years, flowering occurs in April–May, and the fruit ripens in August–September. Yields can reach 18–20 kg per bush with proper care. The plant is cold-hardy down to –40 °C and thrives on light, well-drained soils even in poor conditions.
Care for the bush includes regular watering (1–2 times a week for young plants, minimal for mature ones), fertilization with nitrogen fertilizers in spring and potassium-phosphorus ones in summer. Pruning of branches is recommended after harvesting the fruit. Sea buckthorn is also valued as a source of berries for culinary purposes: compotes, jams, preserves, juices, berry drinks, as well as in desserts – mousses, creams, and cakes. Frozen berries retain most of their vitamins during thermal processing and can be stored for up to 24 months at temperatures up to -18 °C.
Thus, sea buckthorn is a versatile plant that combines decorative qualities with the high nutritional value of its berries, as well as ease of growing and care.
