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Elaeagnus 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. When pruning, keep in mind that next year's blossoms will appear on old growth. 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