Narrow silvery leaves, small scented flowers in spring, then yellow and silver fruits that birds strip in autumn: the Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a fast-growing shrub for wild hedges, shade and salt-lashed coastal gardens. Give it well-drained soil, but check first that it is not an invasive weed where you live.
| Name | Elaeagnus angustifolia |
|---|---|
| Family | Elaeagnacea |
| Height | 6.5 to 13 feet (2 to 4 meters) |
| Exposure | sun to part shade |
| Soil | ordinary |
| Foliage | deciduous |
| Blooming | spring |
| Fruiting | autumn |
Great for hedges or stand-alone spots, Elaeagnus angustifolia is low-maintenance and quite ornamental.
⚠ Caution! Invasive in some places! ⚠
It’s best to plant Elaeagnus angustifolia in fall. However, planting it anytime works if you’ve got a potted one. If you’re planting in winter or summer, avoid freezing or super hot days.
Elaeagnus angustifolia can sometimes become overly invasive. In fact, some US states labeled it an invasive species.
Elaeagnus angustifolia grows quickly, giving you a cozy spot of shade in summer.
Everything this shrub asks of you falls into a handful of seasons. Use the table to see at a glance when to get it in the ground, when to shorten it and when to expect flowers and fruit.
| Task or stage | Season | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Planting (best time) | Autumn | Water generously right through the first year |
| Planting a potted shrub | Any season, avoiding hard frost and fierce heat | Always choose well-drained soil |
| Pruning | Early spring or autumn | Takes all forms of pruning, even a ball shape |
| Formative pruning of young plants | Early spring | Cut back about a third of the previous year’s shoots |
| Flowering | Spring | Scented bloom, much visited by bees |
| Fruiting | Autumn | Yellow and silver fruits, mealy, best cooked or dried |
Once planted, little else is needed beyond removing the offshoots that appear around the trunk.
If you’re looking to make it denser or boost its growth, consider lightly pruning this shrub in its early years, cutting back about 1/3 of the previous year’s shoots.Elaeagnus angustifolia handles pruning well. Keep an eye out and remove any offshoots or young shoots around the tree as they pop up.
While generally hardy and frost-resistant, Elaeagnus angustifolia can be susceptible to certain fungi causing verticillium wilt. It’s quite rare, though.
It also sometimes suffers from chlorosis, leading to leaf yellowing and then decay.
Both frost-resistant and stunningly aesthetic with its golden or silver hues, Elaeagnus angustifolia is making a comeback as a garden favorite. Known as the Russian olive, it’s a fantastic shade tree and perfect for crafting wild hedges. It grows much faster than the normal olive tree.
You’ll love its scented flowers and edible fruits. While a bit mealy, they’re best cooked or dried. Highly attractive to bees, its flowers make top-quality honey. Come spring, enjoy its gentle, aromatic bloom. By fall, you’ll see yellow and silver fruits, edible for us and a treat for birds.
Elaeagnus angustifolia, though beautiful, should not be planted everywhere.
So before planting, check whether you are allowed to or not. Sometimes even garden stores aren’t aware, so remember to inform them if you discover they’re selling when they oughtn’t.
Perfectly resistant to sea sprays and wind, Elaeagnus angustifolia shines as a top pick for coastal locations.
Its roots fix their own nitrogen, so skip rich fertiliser entirely.
Avoid planting it beside rivers, ditches or damp banks, where dropped seed germinates readily and seedlings take hold fast.
