About
A large, fast-growing, deciduous shrub with olive-leaf shaped lime green foliage, turning to scarlet-red in the autumn. Small, perfumed white flowers appear in the spring, turning to a heavy crop of pink-red fruit in September to October. The berries are edible, but best eaten when they have become larger and more redcurrant-like. A good nitrogen-fixing shrub.
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 pHNeutral, Alkaline, Acid
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
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, Patio and container plants
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 1
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus, coral spot or leaf spot (fungal) see leaf damage on woody plants