Oleaster Elaeagnus × submacrophylla
ABOUT
Elaeagnus × submacrophylla, also widely known as Ebbing's silverberry, boasts a distinctive and attractive appearance. The plant is adorned with an evergreen foliage that consists of leaves which are elongated and broad. The surface of the leaves exhibits a dark green hue on the top, while the undersides are coated with a dense layer of silvery-white scales, providing a striking contrast that adds to the plant’s visual interest. Ebbing's silverberry is notable for its ability to produce small, but prominent flowers. The blooms are bell-shaped and exude a delightful fragrance that can add a sensory allure to any garden space. Typically, these flowers are cream or pale yellow in color, accentuating their presence against the rich green backdrop of the foliage. In addition to its leaves and flowers, Ebbing's silverberry produces fruit which can be quite appealing both to the eye and to local wildlife. The fruits are small, olive-shaped and similarly bear the silvery-white scales on their surface. The ripened fruits exhibit a reddish hue, dangling amidst the leaves and potentially attracting birds and other animals to the display. Overall, Ebbing's silverberry provides year-round interest with its contrasting foliage, fragrant flowers, and attractive fruits, making it a prized specimen in landscapes where it simply complements the surrounding flora without the mention of its specific growth dimensions.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Elaeagnaceae
Synonyms
Ebbinge's Silverberry, Elaeagnus, Oleaster
Common names
Elaeagnus × submacrophylla.
ToxicityTo humans
Ebbing's Silverberry is considered non-toxic to humans, and there are generally no adverse effects reported upon ingestion of the fruits or other parts of the plant. It is not associated with any significant toxicity in humans, and no symptoms of poisoning are typically observed.
To pets
Ebbing's Silverberry is not known to be toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. There should be no toxic symptoms if pets ingest its parts. As with any non-food plant material, consumption in large quantities could potentially cause mild stomach upset or intestinal discomfort due to the fibrous plant matter, but the plant is not inherently poisonous to pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Silver
Height
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Spread
10-15 feet (3-4.5 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Japan
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Appeal: Ebbinge's Silverberry provides year-round visual interest with its silver-green leaves, fragrant flowers, and attractive red fruit.
- Habitat Enrichment: The plant offers nectar and berries that are beneficial for birds and pollinators, supporting local biodiversity.
- Privacy Screen: With its dense growth habit, Ebbinge's Silverberry can be used to create living fences or privacy screens in gardens and landscapes.
- Windbreak: Its robust nature allows it to act as a windbreak, providing protection for gardens and outdoor living spaces.
- Coastal Suitability: The plant is well-suited to coastal conditions, being tolerant of salt sprays and sandy soils.
- Erosion Control: Its root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion, particularly useful on slopes and banks.
- Low Maintenance: Ebbinge's Silverberry requires minimal upkeep once established, making it a practical choice for gardeners with limited time.
- Drought Tolerance: The plant can withstand periods of drought, ideal for water-wise landscaping in arid and semi-arid regions.
- Versatility: It can be used in various landscaping designs, including hedges, foundation plantings, and as a standalone specimen.
Medical Properties
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Elaeagnus × ebbingei, commonly known as Oleaster, can be used as a windbreak in coastal areas due to its ability to withstand strong winds and salt spray.
- The dense, thorny nature of Oleaster makes it an excellent choice for planting as an intruder deterrent hedge.
- Its ability to fix nitrogen in the soil can improve fertility for other plants in the vicinity, making Oleaster a valuable companion plant in gardens or agriculture.
- The wood of Oleaster is sometimes used in the creation of small wooden objects or as fuel for firewood due to its hardness and burning qualities.
- The foliage of Oleaster is used in floral arrangements as it provides a long-lasting green background.
- Oleaster can be planted for erosion control, especially on slopes and banks, where its root system helps to stabilize the soil.
- The silvery foliage of Oleaster can be utilized in garden design to provide a striking contrast to other green plants and enhance the overall aesthetic of the landscape.
- Oleaster’s prolific fruit production provides a valuable food source for wildlife, including birds and mammals.
- Some cultures use the fruit of Oleaster to make jams, jellies, and other preserves, which are often noted for their unique flavor.
- The plant's tolerance to urban pollution makes it suitable for city gardens and urban landscaping where air quality and soil conditions may be compromised.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiOleaster is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityOleaster is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: Elaeagnus × submacrophylla, commonly known as Oleaster, is an evergreen plant that demonstrates resilience by thriving in a range of conditions and can often withstand poor soils and drought.
- Adaptability: This plant's ability to adapt to different environments symbolizes adaptability and the capacity to thrive in diverse and potentially challenging situations.
- Protection: The robust nature of Oleaster, with its dense foliage, offers shelter and protection to wildlife, representing safety and security.
- Healing: Oleaster has been used in various traditional medicine practices, and as such, can symbolize healing and the alleviation of ailments.
WaterThe Oleaster, commonly known as Elaeagnus × submacrophylla, should be watered deeply to ensure moisture reaches the roots, approximately every week during its first growing season to establish a strong root system. After establishment, watering can be reduced, and it may only require additional water during prolonged dry spells. Depending on the soil type and weather conditions, general watering might be around 1 to 1.5 gallons per plant every couple of weeks during the growing season. During winter months, watering can often be reduced further due to lower evaporation rates and potential rainfall.
LightOleaster thrives best in full sun to partial shade. It is adaptable but will produce the best growth and foliage when it receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The plant is versatile, though, and can still do well in a spot that gets filtered light or light afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates.
TemperatureOleaster is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, usually thriving in conditions between 20°F and 100°F. To ensure optimal growth, it is best maintained in an environment where temperatures hover between 60°F and 80°F. It can survive brief drops below 20°F but should be sheltered from extreme cold.
PruningOleaster should be pruned to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. It's not necessary to prune every year, but periodic thinning can help light and air circulate better throughout the plant. Cutting back the plant can also rejuvenate older oleasters that have become leggy or overgrown.
CleaningAs needed
SoilOleaster requires well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. A mix of garden soil, compost, and sand or perlite would create an ideal environment for healthy root growth and adequate drainage.
RepottingOleasters do not need to be repotted frequently; they should generally be repotted every 3 to 4 years, provided they are not outgrowing their current pot or the soil is not exhausted.
Humidity & MistingOleaster is tolerant of various humidity levels and does well in average room humidity. It does not require special humidity conditions for growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use bright, indirect light and well-draining soil for Oleaster.
Outdoor
Plant in well-draining soil, full sun or partial shade for Oleaster.
Hardiness zone
7-9 USDA
Life cycleEldery is a hybrid plant and follows a typical dicotyledonous plant life cycle. The cycle starts with seed germination, where the seed absorbs water and the embryo within swells and breaks through the seed coat. Following germination, the seedling emerges and develops into a young plant with leaves through the vegetative growth stage. This is followed by the mature plant stage, where the elderberry reaches full size and begins to flower. After pollination and fertilization, flowers develop into fruit that contains seeds. The plant's life cycle is completed when these seeds are dispersed by various means, starting a new generation of plants.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Elaeagnus × submacrophylla, commonly known as Oleaster or Ebbing's Silverberry, is typically propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method of propagation is usually undertaken in late summer. To propagate, a gardener would take a cutting of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) in length from a healthy semi-hardwood branch. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting are removed, and the cut end is often treated with rooting hormone to encourage root development. The cutting is then placed in a well-draining rooting medium and kept humid and warm until roots have developed, which might take several weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, they can be transferred to pots to grow on before being planted out in their final position.
