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Argousier ‘Leikora’ formant un grand arbuste caduc épineux au feuillage étroit vert argenté, portant de nombreuses baies orange vif serrées le long des rameaux. Cette image présente <em>Hippophae rhamnoides</em> ‘Leikora’, cultivar femelle fruitier de Zone 2 atteignant environ 4 à 6 m de hauteur sur 3 m de largeur (13 à 20 pi × 10 pi) et nécessitant un pollinisateur mâle compatible.

Female deciduous fruit shrub, thorny and suckering Elaeagnaceae

Argousier fruitier rustique à grosses baies orange

Argousier ‘Leikora’

Name: Argousier ‘Leikora’ ( Hippophae rhamnoides ‘Leikora’)
Brand: Pépinière.ca
Availability: OutOfStock

Sea Buckthorn

The female sea buckthorn 'Leikora' produces abundant large, very acidic orange berries, sought after for juices, jellies, purees, and sauces. Its narrow, silvery-green foliage highlights the fruit on a large, thorny, suckering shrub, approximately 4 to 6 m tall by 3 m wide (13 to 20 ft × 10 ft). Hardy in Zone 2, it prefers full sun and perfectly drained soil, then tolerates drought, wind, salt, and low fertility. A compatible male sea buckthorn, such as Pollmix 2, 3, or 4, must flower nearby for fruit production. Regularly remove suckers and protect some of the harvest from birds as needed.

Container-grown plant

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Quantity: Container-grown plant
Exposure: Full sun
Hardiness: Zone 2

Common nameSea buckthorn

FamilyElaeagnaceae

GenusSea buckthorn

Speciesrhamnoides

CultivarLeikora

TypeFemale deciduous fruit shrub, thorny and suckering

Botanical nameSea Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn ‘Leikora’ (Hippophae rhamnoides ‘Leikora’). is a German female cultivar sought after for its abundant harvests of large, bright orange to golden berries. Very acidic and rich in vitamin C, the fruits are especially suitable for juices, jellies, purees, sauces, and processed preparations. Its deciduous, narrow, silvery-green foliage provides a luminous contrast throughout the season. Its vigorous, bushy, thorny, and suckering habit forms a large, productive shrub. In Quebec, expect it to reach approximately 4 to 6 m in height by 3 m in width (13 to 20 ft × 10 ft), or more if suckers are not controlled.

To obtain fruit, plant a compatible male sea buckthorn nearby, as ‘Leikora’ only produces female flowers and pollen is wind-carried. Pollmix 2, 3, and 4 types are commonly recommended to match flowering times. Choose full sun and perfectly drained, light to medium, neutral to alkaline soil. Hardy in Zone 2, ‘Leikora’ tolerates intense cold, wind, salty spray, drought, and poor soils once established. Water deeply during the first two seasons, without keeping the crown waterlogged, then avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization.

Harvest the berries from late summer to early autumn when they are fully colored. Their delicate skin and thorns make harvesting slow; gloves, long sleeves, and small pruning shears facilitate the work. Taste before harvesting in quantity, as the acidity remains pronounced even at maturity. Prune after harvest or during dormancy to thin out older branches, while retaining enough fruitful young shoots. Remove unwanted suckers as soon as they appear. The fruits attract birds; a well-secured net can protect a portion of the harvest without trapping wildlife.

Planting guide

From planting to establishment.

Spacing / density For a fruiting hedge, generally space plants about 1.5 to 2.5 m (5 to 8 ft) apart depending on how they are trained; plan for one compatible male for about 5 to 8 females and place it so that the spring wind carries the pollen.

Best planting time Spring or early autumn, frost-free

Propagation Cutting or rooted sucker to faithfully preserve the female cultivar

Soil and care

The right care,at the right time.

Soil pH

Neutral to alkaline; approximately 6.5 to 8.0

Minimum temperature

'-40°C

Care level

Low to moderate, primarily for suckering control

Watering

Water deeply and regularly during the first two seasons to establish a strong root system. Then, allow the surface to dry out between waterings and water especially during prolonged droughts. Direct water to the soil without continuously wetting the foliage. Absolutely avoid soggy basins, as drought tolerance does not mean tolerance to asphyxiated roots. A thin layer of mulch can limit weeds without touching the stems.

Soil type

Choose a perfectly drained, light to medium, sandy, gravelly, loamy, or calcareous soil. 'Leikora' tolerates poor, neutral to alkaline soil and is drought-tolerant once established. Avoid standing water, compaction, and paving over the roots. Its association with nitrogen-fixing bacteria reduces the need for nitrogen fertilizer. A modest application of compost to the surface is usually sufficient without heavily enriching the planting hole.

Fertilization

Spring berry fertilizer. Fertilize monthly or as directed on the bag. Add Myke when planting.

Moisture

Low to moderate; well-drained soil

Seasonal care

In early spring, locate small female flowers before or during foliage emergence and ensure the male pollinator is flowering at the same time. Water deeply if the soil is dry, especially during the first two seasons, but allow the surface to drain between waterings. After fruit set, monitor fruit condition and keep the root zone free of dense grass. In summer, remove suckers that exceed the intended space and avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. From late summer to early autumn, harvest berries when they are completely orange; wear gloves and long sleeves. Prune lightly after harvest or during dormancy to remove dead wood and some old branches, without removing all young fruiting shoots. In autumn, water before frost if the soil is very dry. In winter, only protect young plants from rodents and avoid piling de-icing salt directly on the roots. Clean and sharpen tools before pruning to make clean cuts. Remove damaged fruit and diseased branches rather than leaving them under the crown. Renew a light mulch without covering the crown. Each year, note the flowering date of both male and female plants to confirm their overlap. Finally, keep a clear path around the shrub to work without snagging on thorns.

Container growing

A garden,within reach.

Recommended pot size

At least 75 to 100 liters; in-ground preferred

Extended container growing is only possible in a very large pot of at least 75 to 100 liters, stable, perfectly drained, and overwintered outdoors with isolated roots. However, 'Leikora' becomes a large suckering shrub and fruits better in the ground. A compatible male pollinator must also bloom close enough for the wind to carry the pollen.

Argousier ‘Leikora’ (Hippophae rhamnoides)

Bloom and dimensions

Its place,in your garden.

Mature height

4 to 6 m (13 to 20 feet)

Width / spread

3 m (10 feet)

Flower color

YELLOW

Foliage color

Silver green

Foliage type

Obsolete

Growth rate

fast

Growth habit

Erect to broadly bushy, thorny, and suckering

Fragrance

Odorless

Bloom period

'Leikora' bears small, inconspicuous, petal-less, greenish-yellow female flowers in early spring before or during foliage emergence. They do not produce pollen and rely on wind for pollination from a compatible male plant. Pollmix 2, 3 or 4 is commonly recommended to match flowering times. For best results, regularly observe the plant and adapt care to local conditions.

Fruiting

Large, abundant, very acidic, bright orange to golden berries, rich in vitamin C; male pollinator required

Harvest

From late summer to early autumn, when berries are fully orange; harvest with gloves and process or refrigerate quickly

Wildlife and pets

Life,around your plants.

Supporting wildlife

The orange berries provide food for birds when some of the crop remains on the shrub. The flowers are wind-pollinated and offer little nectar to insects. The thorny cover can shelter small birds, but place the plant away from frequented paths and use only a taut, visible net.