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Ebbing's Silverberry Elaeagnus x ebbingei

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Elaeagnus × submacrophylla
Phonetic Spelling
el-ee-AG-nus EBB-ing-ee-eye
Description

Oleaster is a large rounded shrub that prefers full sun to partial shade, light, sandy, loamy soil but will grow in a range of soil types as long as they are well-drained.  It is drought, deer, salt spray, and wind tolerant. The flowers appear in fall and are highly fragrant.

Use as a screen or a hedge. This shrub can be used as a topiary specimen and will bloom even when pruned. Variegated cultivars are available.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Eleador'
    Variegated leaves
  • 'Gilt Edge'
    Variegated with yellow streaks
'Eleador', 'Gilt Edge'
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#semi-evergreen#salt tolerant#salt spray tolerant#wind tolerant#large shrub#deer resistant#screening#background planting#poor soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Eleador'
    Variegated leaves
  • 'Gilt Edge'
    Variegated with yellow streaks
'Eleador', 'Gilt Edge'
Tags:
#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#semi-evergreen#salt tolerant#salt spray tolerant#wind tolerant#large shrub#deer resistant#screening#background planting#poor soils tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Elaeagnus
    Family:
    Elaeagnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Hybrid of 2 Asian parents
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds are attracted to the drupes
    Edibility:
    Fruits are edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Oval
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/2 inch reddish-brown drupes ripen in spring.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gray/Silver
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1/4 inch creamy-white bell-shaped flowers bloom in axillary clusters in mid to late fall. Flowers are not particularly showy but are intensely fragrant
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Leaf Margin:
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Oval leaves are up to 4 inches long, leathery and glossy green with silvery-gray undersides when mature. New growth may be coppery in color.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Spineless twigs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Slope/Bank
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil
    Salt