About
A vigorous, wide-spreading evergreen shrub, to 3m high and 5m wide, with spineless branches covered in silvery scales when young. Clusters of small, very perfumed, silvery-cream flowers in autumn. Broad, rounded leaves, 5-12cm long, are intensely silvery when young becoming glossy dark green with age.
About the genus
Elaeagnus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs or small trees, with simple, often silvery-scaled leaves, and small fragrant tubular flowers borne in clusters in the leaf axils, and followed by small juicy fruit
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, West-facing, South-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
Native toKorea Japan
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun or partial shade; will thrive by the coast, and in any well-drained soil, including poor soil, except very shallow chalk
PruningPruning group 1 or pruning group 9
PropagationPropagate by seed sown in a cold frame in autumn, by layering in spring, by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by grafting in late winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to elaeagnus sucker
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus, coral spot or leaf spot (fungal) see leaf damage on woody plants