Description
Kim’s Prize is a premium Russian seaberry (sea buckthorn, sea berry) known for producing some of the largest berries of any variety, combined with excellent flavor and reliable cold-hardiness. The fruit is bright orange, plump, and aromatic, making Kim’s Prize an outstanding choice for high-quality juice, wellness blends, and attractive fresh processing.
The shrub is moderately vigorous with an upright, tidy form that makes it easier to manage and harvest than more aggressive commercial types. Kim’s Prize is valued in home gardens and small orchards for its combination of large fruit size, appealing flavor, and consistent yields even in challenging northern climates.
Overview
- Russian female seaberry prized for exceptionally large berries.
- Excellent flavor — bright, citrusy, and aromatic.
- Reliable yields and great cold tolerance.
- Moderate vigor — easier to maintain than high-vigor types.
- Requires a male pollinator for fruit set.
Growing Details
Latin Name: Hippophae rhamnoides ‘Kim’s Prize’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full sun; thrives in well-drained, sandy, rocky, or low-fertility soils
Hardiness (Temp): To approximately -40°F
Bearing Age: 2–3 years
Rootstock: Own roots (grown from cuttings)
Size at Maturity: 6–8 ft tall, moderate vigor
Bloom Time: Early to mid-spring
Ripening Time: Late August to early September
Yield: Good to heavy yields with notable berry size
Pests and Diseases: Very resilient and low-maintenance
USDA Zone: 3
Additional Notes
- Origin: Russian selection valued for fruit size and winter hardiness.
- Large berry size makes it ideal for attractive processed products or premium juice.
- Flavor: Bright, citrus-forward, with aromatic notes.
- Uses: Wellness blends, syrups, teas, juices, preserves, and powders.
- Plant with a compatible male seaberry for pollination.
- Explore more seaberries (sea buckthorn) in our collection: Seaberry Varieties
