Silver shepherdia in your garden

Sea buckthorn (Bachelor's sea buckthorn) has recently become popular in amateur gardening. It is a beautiful shrub with silvery leaves and red berries. It grows naturally in North America, which is why it is often called American sea buckthorn. Many gardeners value the crop and how to grow it in the Russian climate.

General description of the culture

The shrub belongs to the Elaeagnaceae family, which includes only three species of crops:

• sucker;
• sea ​​buckthorn;
• Shepherdia.

In horticulture, it is used as an ornamental crop (for decorating plots and garden compositions), as well as for its berries. The plant is deciduous and widespread in various regions. Other varieties of sea buckthorn are less popular:

• round-leaved (characterized by low frost resistance, grows in the state of Colorado in the USA);
• Canadian (berries are not edible).

Main characteristics of sea buckthorn

The tree reaches a height of 4-5 meters, with a gnarled trunk and branches covered in thorns. The leaves are elongated, up to 5-6 cm, and their surface is covered with silvery fuzz. The flowers are small, bright yellow, and form a spike-shaped inflorescence. They bloom in April, opening gradually.

The plant is dioecious, so to obtain fruit it is necessary to plant male and female bushes nearby.

The berries are false drupes that ripen in August or September (depending on the weather). They are bright red with whitish spots. Each berry weighs about 0.5-0.6 grams. The berries sit tightly on the twigs, but when fully ripe, they can easily be shaken to the ground.

The flavor is sweet and sour, tart, with a piquant bitterness. Shepherdia berries contain large amounts of vitamin C and tannins. In these respects, this American beauty surpasses its famous relative, the sea buckthorn.

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The plant has thrived in most regions of Europe and, with proper care, produces high yields of berries. Fruiting occurs naturally in the 4th to 5th year, while with vegetative propagation, berries appear as early as the 2nd to 3rd year. A bush yields 15-30 kg.

Main uses of berries:

• drinks;
• sweet desserts;
• jams;
• compotes.

Sea buckthorn fruits are an essential component of spicy sauces for meat and fish dishes.

Advantages and disadvantages

The crop is becoming popular in many European countries, and Russian gardeners are also interested in American sea buckthorn.

Advantages of the shrub:

• attractive appearance;
• frost resistance;
• unpretentiousness;
• the ability to grow on any type of soil;
• simple propagation (by shoots, cuttings, seeds);
• resistance to various diseases and pests;
• high yield.

Shepherdia berries are easier to harvest than sea buckthorn, and they are also suitable for transportation. One drawback is the need to plant plants of different sexes, otherwise fruiting will not occur.

Features of cultivation

Despite its low maintenance, the plant produces abundant harvests in fertile soil. Sunny spots are preferred for buffalo berries, but they are quite undemanding of other crops and thrive with any "neighbors."

Choosing a location

Well-lit locations are typically chosen for the shrub. Shepherdia is often used as a hedge, planting the bushes around the perimeter of a property.

Winds and drafts are not a problem for this plant, but well-fertilized and loose soil is preferable. This member of the Elaeagnus family grows in any soil, but fertile and well-drained soils will produce significantly higher berry yields.

Preparing seedlings

The planting time is April, when the soil has warmed up sufficiently. However, the exact dates are determined based on the regional climate to ensure the young seedlings are not exposed to severe cold.

Purchase 1.5-2-year-old seedlings with developed roots. The branches are cut back by about 1/3, and the roots are soaked in any growth stimulant (Epin, Zircon).

Landing

Mark out the locations for the holes on the plot. The distance between seedlings should be 2-3 meters, but if space is limited or when planting bushes as a hedge, 0.5-1 meter is sufficient. The holes should be up to half a meter deep and up to 70 cm wide. Fill with humus, place the seedling, and carefully cover it. Firm the soil, water, and mulch. With proper care, the bushes will adapt, establish themselves, and begin to grow before winter.

Care

Caring for the crop is simple and involves standard agricultural practices:

• watering;
• top dressing;
• pruning;
• loosening the soil.

Watering is recommended during the dry season, especially during the berry formation and ripening stages. Rainfall is usually sufficient for the bushes.

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Feed sea buckthorn 2-3 times per season, adding organic matter in the spring and potassium and phosphorus supplements in mid- and late summer. Fertilizing promotes rapid plant growth and abundant fruiting.

Pruning is essential, as the plant branches extensively. Typically, the main shoot is pruned at a height of 3-3.5 meters, and the side shoots are pruned before the branches begin to branch. Silvery buckthorn should be pruned every 4-5 years. Sanitary pruning is performed annually in the spring.

Reproduction of Shepherdia

The plant is propagated by cuttings, root suckers, and seeds. Gardeners practice all three methods, but seed propagation is more labor-intensive.

When propagating by shoots, two-year-old shoots that have grown near the parent plant are used. These are separated from the roots of the main plant and transplanted into prepared holes.

A common method is to propagate sea buckthorn by seedlings, using cuttings from green shoots. First, in mid-July, the cuttings are taken, grown, and then planted in their permanent locations.

Using Shepherdia in Landscape Design

In garden plots, sea buckthorn is used to create garden compositions. It's excellent for fencing and for stabilizing soil in hilly areas.

Compact trees with silvery foliage look beautiful at any time of year: in spring with bright yellow flowers, and in summer and fall with red berries. Unique ensembles are created by combining sea buckthorn and large rose bushes.

Breeders are developing new varieties of this crop, crossing it with sea buckthorn. Ornamental varieties have been developed, such as the silver buffalo berry (Goldenia), which bears yellow-orange berries.

The undemanding and winter-hardy silver buffalo berry isn't as well-known as sea buckthorn. However, it's worthy of gardeners' attention both as a healthy berry and as a beautiful ornamental shrub.