Lord Sea Buckthorn (Male) vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Lord Sea Buckthorn (Male) vs Black Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum

Hippophae rhamnoides Lord

CUSTOM GROW

Black Crowberry
Lord Sea Buckthorn (Male)

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spirals around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so they are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates, the berries develop a sweet-tart flavor and are often dried or used in desserts, jams, and jellies.

This hardy shrub provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. It also serves as a host plant for certain butterflies and moths. Together, these roles make it a key contributor to the health of tundra and boreal ecosystems.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are enjoyed in jams, jellies, and traditional baked goods such as buns and puddings. In Scandinavia, they continue to be used in liqueurs, wines, and juices.

Lord Sea Buckthorn is a male variety that is a pollinizer for female plants. One male plant is capable of pollinating 5-7 female plants. Male Sea Buckthorn plants do not produce berries, but the pollen from their flowers allows female plant to set fruit.

Lord Sea Buckthorn has relatively thornless branches and other well-known features of Sea Buckthorn plants. These include silvery green foliage and nitrogen-fixing capabilities, which improves the surrounding soil.

Can be used to pollinize female Sea Buckthorn plants, including Orange Energy Sea Buckthorn.

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

Lord Sea Buckthorn (Male) Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Height: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Harvest: late summer to fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry
Other Names: lord sea berry, lord seaberry, lord seabuckthorn