Elaeagnus umbellata
autumn olive
A deciduous bushy shrub to around 5m tall and wide. Its leaves are narrowly oval with wavy edges, 5-10cm long, silvery when young before maturing to green but staying silvery beneath. Fragrant creamy-yellow flowers borne in small clusters in late spring to early summer are followed by egg-shaped silvery fruit that ripen to red
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream Yellow | Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Yellow | Grey Silver Green | Grey Silver | |
| Autumn | Grey Silver Green | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Elaeagnaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Himal. China Japan
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun; will thrive in any well-drained soil, including poor soil, except very shallow chalk
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free but may be susceptible to honey fungus, coral spot or leaf spot (fungal) see leaf damage on woody plants
Get involved
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