Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) vs Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) - TreeTime.ca

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) vs Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster)

Hippophae rhamnoides l.

Cotoneaster lucidus

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry)
Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster)

Sea Buckthorn, aka Seaberry, is a nitrogen fixing shrub that produces attractive berries high in vitamin C.

While we can't confirm claims that the berries are effective in treating various ailments, many people believe consuming the berries helps with arthritis, infections, and asthma, among other things.

Sea Buckthorn plants have attractive pale silvery-green leaves, dense branches, and large thorns, people like to grow in ornamental hedges or as a first row in a shelterbelt.

Note: these plants typically reach maturity and make their sex easily known (females producing fruit) in their 3rd or 4th year of growth. Our seedlings are too young to identify their sex.

The Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) is a dense, deciduous shrub that gets its name from the glossy dark green leaves that turn an eye-catching mix of red and purple in the fall.
It produces small, pink flowers in spring and by late summer they are followed by red berries that ripen to black. This plant is great for attracting wildlife as it is loved by both birds and butterflies.

While the Shiny Cotoneaster does produce berries, they are inedible to humans. This plant takes pruning and shearing well, making it easy to shape to your liking and is a great choice for a hedge or privacy screen in your yard.

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) Quick Facts

Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.49 - SAVE UP TO 42%
Lowest Price: $3.29 - SAVE UP TO 45%
Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: mix of yellow scarlet, red, purple
Berries: small, edible
Flowers: small, pale pink
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none

In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Toxicity: may cause stomach upset
Other Names: sallowthorn, sandthorn, seaberry
Other Names: hedge cotoneaster, shiny leaf cotoneaster