Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Hippophae rhamnoides l.

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Mountain Huckleberry
Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry)

Mountain Huckleberry is a small shrub known for its tart to sweet berries. The berries range from purple-black to red-black, and can be eaten fresh or used in jams and syrups. It is a plant native to Alberta and the berries are frequently enjoyed by both people and wildlife.

In traditional Indigenous fire management practices, berry patches were burned after harvest. This would reduce the invasion of other plants allowing the Mountain Huckleberry to thrive. Its foliage has low flammability and can survive low severity fires, and even if destroyed they regrow from the roots.

Note: Mountain Huckleberry requires specific soil conditions. They need moist, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH around 5.5.

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.

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $1.49 - SAVE UP TO 75%
Zone: 5a
Zone: 2b
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: dark purple
Berries: small, edible
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: high


In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry
Other Names: sallowthorn, sandthorn, seaberry