Elaeagnus pungens

RHS Plant Profile

silverthorn

Shrubs

A strong-growing, wide-spreading evergreen shrub, to 5m in height, with some spiny, but mainly spineless branches. Leaves, are green and glossy above and matt white underneath, with brown scales. Clusters of small but extremely-fragrant, silvery-cream flowers are borne in autumn, followed by oval red fruits

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 4-8 metres
Max Height: 4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam Clay Chalk

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or North–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, Spreading branched
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil, except shallow chalk, in sun or partial shade. Is especially useful as a heding or screening plant in coastal areas

Propagation

Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

Generally pest-free but 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