As robust as it is attractive, Elaeagnus × ebbingei or Ebbinge’s Silverberry is a large, compact multi-stemmed evergreen hedging plant with highly distinctive foliage…
Elaeagnus × ebbingei Foliage
Thick, broad evergreen leaves have a silvery sheen on their underside with a dark, near metallic sea-green above.
Flower
Cream flowers in autumn. They produce orange berries in winter.
Scent
Sweetly fragrant.
Hardiness
As robust as they come.
Aspect
Will thrive in a sheltered or exposed location. An excellent choice for coastal gardens.
Ease of maintenance
Extremely easy.
Specialist care
Apply an annual mulch in spring. No other special care is required.
NB: When applying a mulch to any plant, always ensure you leave the area around stems free. This will prevent rotting.
Pruning
Prune in late summer to maintain shape.
Drought Resistance
Excellent
Soil pH
Acid, through neutral to alkaline.
Soil Type
This plant will grow well in loam, clay, sand or chalk. It may become chlorotic* on shallow chalk.
* “Chlorosis is a condition in which leaves produce insufficient chlorophyll and turn pale, yellow or yellow-white.” A full explanation will be posted soon.
Moisture
It prefers moist but well-drained soil. However, it will grow in heavy clay.
Light
Happy in locations providing full sun to partial shade.
Compactness
A large, multi-stemmed and compact hedging plant.
Height
2.5-4.0m
Spread
2.5-4.0m
Rate of Growth
Fast. A perfect choice for the impatient.
Versatility
This hedging plant offers year-round interest. It is suitable for screening (its thorns provide additional security), hedging and/or specimen planting in both formal and informal gardens. A popular choice for both topiary and those difficult spots and corners – it can even be trained against a wall or up a tree. Elaeagnus × ebbingei will take absolutely anything a coastal location can throw at it.