About

This bushy evergreen shrub to 4m tall, with slightly spiny brown shoots bearing elliptical bright yellow leaves narrowly margined with dark green; small, aromatic white flowers in autumn. pungens 'Maculata' and less susceptible to reverting to green. More upright than the very similar E.

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 typeLoam, Sand, Clay, Chalk
Soil pHNeutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing, North-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy, Spreading branched, Suckering
FoliageEvergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
FragranceFlower

Care notes

CultivationGrow in well-drained soil in full sun, tolerant of dry soil and coastal winds but may become chlorotic on shallow chalky soils. See shrub cultivation
PruningPruning group 9; sucker removal if necessary, in autumn
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free but may be susceptible to elaeagnus sucker
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus, coral spot or leaf spot (fungal) see leaf damage on woody plants