{"title":"Nitrogen-Fixing Plants","description":"\u003cp\u003eThese shrubs pull nitrogen out of the air and feed it into the soil, so they help out the fruit trees planted around them. They're tough as nails, handle poor dry ground and make great windbreaks and hedgerows.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/sea-buckthorn-bundle-of-5\"\u003eSea buckthorn\u003c\/a\u003e gives you loads of tart orange berries packed with vitamin C. It's male and female, so plant both. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/buffaloberry-bundle-of-5\"\u003eBuffaloberry\u003c\/a\u003e is a native with tart red berries that birds love, and it's also male and female. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/siberian-peashrub-bundle-of-3\"\u003eSiberian peashrub\u003c\/a\u003e makes edible peas, feeds chickens and bees, and is about the toughest hedge plant there is.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelated: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/best-soil-builders\"\u003eSoil Builders\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/windbreak-hedgerow\"\u003eWindbreak \u0026amp; Hedgerow\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/male-female-dioecious-plants\"\u003eMale \u0026amp; Female Plants\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/native-shrubs\"\u003eNative Shrubs\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/feeds-wildlife\"\u003eFeeds Wildlife\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"buffaloberry-bundle-of-5","title":"Buffaloberry (Bundle of 5) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Buffaloberry is a buffaloberry shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and dioecious, with separate male and female plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSilver buffaloberry, bullberry (Shepherdia argentea)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 9. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#buffaloberry-bundle-of-5\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDioecious - Needs Male and Female. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Buffaloberry plants are either male or female, and only females fruit. Plant all five together so you almost certainly get both sexes. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#buffaloberry\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFeeding wildlife (9\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), soil building (8\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), cooking and roasting (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eAn extremely drought-tolerant and cold-hardy shrub, the fruits have a nice lemony, sweet\/tart taste and have recently earned the label of a \"superfruit.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eImpressive Size in Montana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eIt reaches around 12–15 feet in Missoula, Kalispell, Billings, and other places we’ve seen it growing across Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNitrogen-Fixing Bonus\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003eThis non-leguminous, nitrogen-fixing shrub is hardy down to Zone 2.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuffaloberry is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The USDA plant guide says the flowers are insect pollinated, most commonly by honey bees and bumble bees. Either way, having at least one male nearby as a pollenizer is essential for fruit production, and one male will serve several females.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese plants are grown from seed, which means there is no fixed male-to-female ratio in any given bundle. However, in large populations, seed-grown buffaloberry naturally averages about 50% male and 50% female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the sex of seedlings cannot be determined until they flower, the ratio within a bundle of five is random. Statistically, each seedling has a 50% chance of being male and a 50% chance of being female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo put the odds in practical terms:\u003cbr\u003eThe probability that all five seedlings are female is (0.5)⁵, or 3.125%. The probability that all five are male is the same, 3.125%.\u003cbr\u003eThat means the probability that a bundle of five contains at least one male is 96.875%, and the probability it contains at least one of each (a female to fruit and a male to pollenize her) is 93.75%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn real-world terms, almost every bundle of five will include both a male and a female, making this an effective and practical way to establish a fruiting planting from seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummary:\u003cbr\u003eSeedling ratio: roughly 50\/50 male–female\u003cbr\u003eOdds your bundle of five includes at least one male: ~97%\u003cbr\u003eOdds it includes both a female and a male: ~94%\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCurrent Plant Size\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\"\u003ePlants are currently 2-3 ft tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Buffaloberry\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Buffaloberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Buffaloberry hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Buffaloberry need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. A native of cold plains winters. No one has measured its chill need, but anywhere with a real winter should be fine. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#buffaloberry-bundle-of-5\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Buffaloberry good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Buffaloberry are feeding wildlife (9\/10), jams and jellies (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), soil building (8\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Buffaloberry?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Buffaloberry, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Buffaloberry ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-3 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft.","offer_id":42535083147330,"sku":null,"price":99.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/buffaloberry-fruit-on-branch.webp?v=1789019775"},{"product_id":"siberian-peashrub-bundle-of-3","title":"Siberian Peashrub (Bundle of 3) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Siberian Peashrub is a peashrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and self-fertile, so one plant can crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCaragana, pea tree (Caragana arborescens)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (500 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#siberian-peashrub-bundle-of-3\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), late spring here. Siberian peashrub is bee-pollinated and some references call it self-fertile; it sets plenty of seed, and a bundle of 3 covers any doubt. Its May flowers are good bee forage, but it is not an orchard pollenizer. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#siberian-peashrub\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant about 5 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWindbreaks and hedgerows (9\/10), soil building (7\/10), feeding wildlife (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 2-3 ft. tall. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSiberian pea shrub (often called Siberian peashrub or caragana) is a cold-climate, drought-tolerant, nitrogen-fixing woody legume widely planted in North America as a shelterbelt and windbreak species. It also produces edible pods and seeds that have documented human uses, and it has a well-documented history of use as animal fodder and poultry feed in cold regions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin \u0026amp; History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaragana arborescens is native to northern Asia (commonly summarized as Siberia and Manchuria\/northeast Asia). It was introduced and then widely planted in North America, particularly in prairie and northern farming regions, because it tolerates wind, drought, and severe winters and forms dense hedges useful for shelterbelts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCaragana arborescens produces pea-like pods (legumes). The most defensible, well-supported claims about human edibility are:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePods and seeds are edible: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ejournal.sinica.edu.tw\/bbas\/content\/2012\/1\/Bot531-01\/Bot531-01.html\"\u003eA peer-reviewed review\u003c\/a\u003e (Botanical Studies, 2012) explicitly states that the pods and seeds of Caragana arborescens are edible and are cultivated as a vegetable (citing Meng et al., 2009).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYoung pods eaten as a vegetable: The \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/plants.usda.gov\/DocumentLibrary\/plantguide\/doc\/pg_caar18.docx\"\u003eUSDA Plant Guide\u003c\/a\u003e notes that young pods have been used as a vegetable by some ethnic groups.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat we're not going to overstate: we're not going to claim a standard culinary tradition, taste profile, or nutritional analysis as settled fact for all contexts. You will find frequently repeated numbers such as “12.4% oil” and “up to 36% protein” in well-known edible-plant compilations, but those are secondary aggregations rather than a modern, variety-and-site-specific lab guarantee. The most accurate way to present these numbers are as reported estimates from edible-plant references, not as a guaranteed analysis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn practical terms, the safest and most accurate wording is this: the seeds are edible when cooked and have documented traditional use, while the young pods have documented use as a cooked vegetable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSiberian peashrub is a large, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub (or small tree if trained accordingly) typically around 15–20 feet tall, often with a somewhat rounded form and upright branching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpacing depends on your goal. For a tight hedge\/shelterbelt, plants are spaced close enough to knit into a barrier (2-5 ft.). For orchard-support or specimen use, spacing is wider to reduce competition and allow full crown development. This would be about 5-7.5 ft. apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlowers are insect-pollinated (commonly by bees) and the plant produces abundant seedpods. Some plant references describe it as self-fertile (i.e., capable of setting seed without requiring a second genotype), but government invasive-species pages tend to focus on seed production and dispersal rather than formal self-fertility statements. The most conservative phrasing is this: it is insect-pollinated and produces abundant viable seed, which is one reason it can spread beyond plantings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is widely planted specifically for extreme cold and is noted by invasive-plant authorities as capable of growing in Zone 2 (which is consistent with its use across very cold northern landscapes), as it can survive down to -50F, or possibly even colder if in protected sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOther Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnimal fodder and feed use is unusually well documented for this species:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePoultry feed (seeds): The USDA Plant Guide includes a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/plants.usda.gov\/DocumentLibrary\/plantguide\/doc\/pg_caar18.docx\"\u003ehistorical account\u003c\/a\u003e that during World War II, Siberian peasants reportedly kept chicken flocks through winter by feeding them Caragana arborescens seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLivestock forage\/browse: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/ejournal.sinica.edu.tw\/bbas\/content\/2012\/1\/Bot531-01\/Bot531-01.html\"\u003eThis peer-reviewed Botanical Studies review\u003c\/a\u003e states the plant is used as nutritional livestock forage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrazing by domestic animals: County\/extension weed-control materials \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cms7files1.revize.com\/cookcountymn\/Departments\/Ag%20Inspector\/Cook%20County%20Minnesota%20Noxious%20Weeds%20Edit%20Final.pdf\"\u003enote\u003c\/a\u003e that goats, sheep, and cattle will graze on Siberian peashrub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThose three points together support a careful, accurate takeaway: the plant has documented use both as a seed feed (especially poultry) and as browse\/forage for grazing animals, though how much it contributes on-farm depends on stocking pressure, timing, and what else is available in the system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: state noxious weed law\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eSiberian peashrub (\u003cem\u003eCaragana arborescens\u003c\/em\u003e) is a Restricted Noxious Weed in Minnesota, where propagation and sale are prohibited, and a Restricted species under Wisconsin’s NR 40. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Minnesota or Wisconsin\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eThis species produces abundant viable seed and can spread beyond plantings. Please check your own state and county noxious-weed list before planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhotos: “Caragana arborescens f003” by Ural-66, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Caragana_arborescens_f003.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Caragana arborescens - Copenhagen Botanical Garden - DSC08062” by Daderot, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Caragana_arborescens_-_Copenhagen_Botanical_Garden_-_DSC08062.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Caragana arborescens f007” by Ural-66, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Caragana_arborescens_f007.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/publicdomain\/zero\/1.0\/deed.en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC0\u003c\/a\u003e; “Caragana arborescens pods” by Ninjatacoshell, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Caragana_arborescens_pods.JPG\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eWikimedia Commons\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/3.0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 3.0\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Siberian Peashrub\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Siberian Peashrub need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Siberian Peashrub is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Siberian peashrub is bee-pollinated and some references call it self-fertile; it sets plenty of seed, and a bundle of 3 covers any doubt. Its May flowers are good bee forage, but it is not an orchard pollenizer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Siberian Peashrub?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Siberian Peashrub hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Siberian Peashrub need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#siberian-peashrub-bundle-of-3\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Siberian Peashrub good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Siberian Peashrub are windbreaks and hedgerows (9\/10), soil building (7\/10), feeding wildlife (6\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Siberian Peashrub?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Siberian Peashrub now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Siberian Peashrub ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 2-3 ft. tall. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"2-3 ft. tall","offer_id":42535087439938,"sku":null,"price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/siberian-peashrub-flowers_ebd2fa37-467b-486d-9c92-903ffee34597.jpg?v=1791615987"},{"product_id":"sea-buckthorn-bundle-of-5","title":"Sea Buckthorn (Bundle of 5) | Spring 2027","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sea Buckthorn is a sea buckthorn shrub rated hardy to zone 2 in our ratings (winters to -50°F), and dioecious, with separate male and female plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAlso called\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeaberry, seabuckthorn, Siberian pineapple (Hippophae rhamnoides)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 2 to 7. A bare number means the whole of zone 2, colder half included (winters to -50°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (600 to 1,200). Our estimate. No published figure exists for this variety yet. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#sea-buckthorn-bundle-of-5\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDioecious - Needs Male and Female. Bloom group 4 of 7 (mid), very early spring here. Sea buckthorn plants are either male or female, and only females fruit. Plant all five together so you almost certainly get both; males supply pollen by wind. Bloom group is our estimate from the variety's origin and relatives. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/pollination-charts#sea-buckthorn\"\u003ePollination Charts\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSpacing\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant 6 to 10 ft apart.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil building (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10), sauce and butter (7\/10), feeding wildlife (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeldom badly damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-5 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese sea buckthorn seedlings (\u003cem\u003eHippophae rhamnoides\u003c\/em\u003e) are exceptionally hardy, nitrogen-fixing shrubs valued for their bright orange, nutrient-dense berries, wind tolerance, and ability to thrive in poor soils. This offering is a bundle of five seed-grown plants, from a super hardy seed source from North Dakota, ideal for establishing a productive planting with built-in pollination odds.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea buckthorn is native to a broad region spanning Europe and Asia, where it has long been used for food, medicine, land restoration, and erosion control. It has been widely planted in cold, dry, and marginal landscapes due to its extreme resilience, deep roots, and ability to improve soil through nitrogen fixation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFemale plants produce clusters of vivid orange berries that are extremely rich in vitamin C, carotenoids, and omega fatty acids. The berries are tart and acidic when fresh, and are most commonly used for juice, syrups, jams, sauces, oils, and fermented products. Can be eaten fresh but they're pretty tart for most. Male plants do not produce fruit but are essential for pollination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea buckthorn forms a vigorous, multi-stemmed shrub, typically reaching 8–12 feet tall and wide, though size varies with site and pruning. Plants spread via suckers and are well suited to hedgerows, shelterbelts, and restoration plantings. Spacing of 6–10 feet between plants is common, depending on whether a dense hedge or more open planting is desired. Full sun and well-drained soils are preferred, but the plant tolerates drought, wind, cold, and low fertility extremely well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea buckthorn is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. Pollination is wind-driven, not insect-based, so having at least one male nearby is essential for fruit production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese plants are grown from seed, which means there is no fixed male-to-female ratio in any given bundle. However, in large populations, seed-grown sea buckthorn naturally averages about 50% male and 50% female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBecause the sex of seedlings cannot be determined until they flower, the ratio within a bundle of five is random. Statistically, each seedling has a 50% chance of being male and a 50% chance of being female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo put the odds in practical terms:\u003cbr\u003eThe probability that all five seedlings are female is (0.5)⁵, or 3.125%. The probability that all five are male is the same, 3.125%.\u003cbr\u003eThat means the probability that a bundle of five contains at least one male is 96.875%, and the probability it contains at least one of each (a female to fruit and a male to pollenize her) is 93.75%.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn real-world terms, almost every bundle of five will include both a male and a female, making this an effective and practical way to establish a fruiting planting from seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSummary:\u003cbr\u003eSeedling ratio: roughly 50\/50 male–female\u003cbr\u003eOdds your bundle of five includes at least one male: ~97%\u003cbr\u003eOdds it includes both a female and a male: ~94%\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea buckthorn is extremely cold-hardy and can survive into the -40°F range once established. It is also highly tolerant of wind exposure and winter desiccation, making it one of the most reliable fruiting shrubs for harsh, continental climates. Great shelter belt as well. Zone 2. Will survive in the vast majority of Montana.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are 3-5 ft. tall\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"border:1px solid #cfcfcf;border-left:4px solid #8a1c1c;background:#faf7f6;padding:14px 18px;margin-top:28px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping restrictions: state invasive plant law\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eSea buckthorn (\u003cem\u003eHippophae rhamnoides\u003c\/em\u003e) is named on Maine’s list of invasive plants prohibited from sale or import. We \u003cstrong\u003ecannot ship this plant to Maine\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 10px;\"\u003eSea buckthorn suckers freely and spreads by seed. Please check your own state and county noxious-weed list before planting, and site it where suckering can be managed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0;font-size:0.9em;color:#555;\"\u003eOrders placed to a prohibited state will be cancelled and refunded.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Sea Buckthorn\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Sea Buckthorn?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Sea Buckthorn hardy to zone 2, which means winters down to about -50°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Sea Buckthorn need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 1,200. Nobody has published a chill figure for it, so that's our estimate from its relatives and origin. Built for cold, windy continental winters. Chill won't limit it in the North; late frosts after early growth can. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#sea-buckthorn-bundle-of-5\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Sea Buckthorn good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Sea Buckthorn are soil building (9\/10), juice and sweet cider (8\/10), windbreaks and hedgerows (8\/10), jams and jellies (7\/10). Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Sea Buckthorn?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNot badly. Deer may nibble Sea Buckthorn, but they seldom do real damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat arrives, and when does Sea Buckthorn ship?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA dormant bare-root plant, roots wrapped in moist sawdust with a vapor barrier, shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring. Sizes offered: 3-5 ft. We guarantee our plants bud out. Stone fruits can be slow, so if one still has not budded out by August 15, write to us and we credit you for the following spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"3-5 ft.","offer_id":42535344308290,"sku":null,"price":119.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/sea-buckthorn-berries-on-branch.jpg?v=1789021038"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/collections\/sea-buckthorn-berries-on-branch_6675601f-0479-43a3-969e-bf9516813b62.jpg?v=1792783012","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/nitrogen-fixing-plants.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}