Description
Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Viveleg’ 60-90cm, otherwise known as Oleaster or Silver Berry, is a large, variegated, compact, rounded evergreen, shrub. It has broad, silvery, green leaves which have a variegated edge, giving a remarkable look to leaves. It gives a smart and sophisticated hedge. Oleaster ‘Viveleg’ is extremely hardy, resilient and versatile, capable of surviving in the most exposed positions and they can even tolerate the most severe salty breezes. Though if this is the case, make sure it is well watered whilst establishing to avoid drying out.
Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Viveleg’ produces fragrant white flowers in the autumn with wonderfully contrasting orange berries during the winter months, adding colour to your garden in the winter months. Elaeagnus prefers well drained soil and full sun but is capable of surviving and thriving on clay and partial shade.
Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Viveleg’ is a reasonably fast growing, capable of growing 30-45cm a year once established, allowing you to have privacy quickly. The density of the hedge will reduce noise levels either coming from or going to your neighbours. Elaeagnus is extremely low maintenance once established, as a hedge it may require pruning once a year in mid to late spring. It is easily maintained at 1-4m high. It has an ultimate height of Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Viveleg’ is 2.5-4m with a similar spread. Reaching this within 5-10 years.
We suggest Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Viveleg’ for informal, low maintenance, banks or slopes, costal, seaside or windbreaks and flower borders and beds. The Italians often use this shrub in topiary, creating balls or standards, though often full standards are grafted due to the weight distribution.
Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Viveleg’is not harmful to pets and horses but maybe do not feed it directly to the horse.
Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Viveleg’ has nitrogen fixing qualities which is great for the soil and is a natural mutation of Elaeagnus ebbingei which was found by Christian Wives at his nursery in Toulouse, France.
Other Elaeagnus’s we offer include Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Limelight’, this is a variegated form, the yellow being in the centre as opposed to on the perimeter and Elaeagnus ebbingei.
Growth rate
- 45-60cm a year, condition dependant
- Ultimate height 2.5-4m
- Ultimate spread 2.5-4m
- Time to ultimate height 5-10 years
Light levels
- Full sun to partial shade
Growing conditions
- Soil conditions-acidic, alkaline or neutral
- Well drained though can easily thrive on clay
Pruning
- Prune once a year in mid to late spring
Hardiness
- RHS hardiness of H5 (hardy throughout the UK, -15 to -10)
Buying a hedge
There are many benefits to buying a hedge, which many people forget. For more information on why to buy a hedge, visit our page on Why buy a hedge?
When buying a hedge it is important to know the different forms of hedging. For more information visit our page on Bare root, Root ball Potted plants.
When purchasing a hedge it is important that you give it every chance it can to thrive. For more information on planting visit our Planting page.
