Elaeagnus macrophylla

RHS Plant Profile

large-flowered oleaster

RHS / Janet Cubey

Shrubs

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A vigorous, wide-spreading evergreen shrub, to 3m high and 5m wide, with spineless branches covered in silvery scales when young. Broad, rounded leaves, 5-12cm long, are intensely silvery when young becoming glossy dark green with age. Clusters of small, very fragrant, silvery-cream flowers in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H5

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Elaeagnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
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: Korea Japan

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in full sun or partial shade; will thrive by the coast, and in any well-drained soil, including poor soil, except very shallow chalk

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in a cold frame in autumn, by layering in spring, by semi-ripe cuttings in summer, or by grafting in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 9

Pests

May be susceptible to elaeagnus sucker

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus, coral spot or leaf spot (fungal) see leaf damage on woody plants