This is a tough evergreen shrub with pendent flowers that provide a delightful gardenia-like perfume during October and November. Brown fruit ripens to red in autumn. Handsome foliage is a lustrous green above, dull and silvery dotted with brown below.
Noteworthy CharacteristicsNot for the small garden, this aggressive grower is considered a weed by some, and it is impervious to pests, pollution, and salt spray, making it an ideal candidate for hedges, screening, and bank plantings.
CareElaeagnus pungens thrives in the sun or shade, and in all types of soil.
ProblemsOccurring frequently: cankers, dagger nematode, dieback, rust, fungal leaf spots, and root rot. Can be aggressively weedy.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Gardener's Supply Company Summerweight Fabric Plant Cover
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
Scotts Cordless Grass-Shear/Shrub-Trimmer Combo
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
- 13.5 x 3 x 5 inches
- Uses a 7.2-Volt 2Ah high-capacity built-in lithium-ion battery; Includes a fast charger
Black and Decker 22-inch Cordless Hedge Trimmer
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site, including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising programs.
- 38 x 7 x 7 inches
- 6.9 pounds
- 1 Lithium Ion battery required (included)
- Genus : Elaeagnus
- Plant Height : 10 to 15 feet
- Plant Width : 10 to 15 feet
- Zones : 7, 8, 9
- Bloom Time : Fall
- Plant Seasonal Interest : Fall Interest
- Growth Rate : Fast
- Characteristics : Fragrant Flowers, Showy Foliage
- Light : Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Maintenance : Low
- Plant Type : Shrubs
- Flower Color : White
Plant Characteristics are only available to Fine Gardening members
Sign up for a free trial and get instant access to our complete plant guide as well as our entire collection of articles and videos.
