Oleaster Hedge (Elaeagnus x ebbingei)

Elaeagnus ebbingei Hedge Plants Description

Elaeagnus ebbingei, commonly known as Oleaster or Silverberry, is an attractive evergreen shrub ideal for hedging. This versatile plant offers year-round interest with its distinctive foliage and seasonal features.

Elaeagnus ebbingei is relatively fast-growing, with an annual increase of 30-50 cm (12-20 inches). It can be pruned to shape in autumn to maintain a tidy appearance.

Foliage: The shrub has dark green leaves with striking silver speckles and silver-coloured undersides. The effect of the silver underside is particularly noticeable when the wind blows, adding visual interest to the hedge.

Flowers: In autumn, Elaeagnus ebbingei produces subtly fragrant white flowers, which add a pleasant scent to the garden.

Fruits: Small orange fruits appear in spring, providing additional seasonal interest.

Shape: The plant forms a dense, bushy shape, making it ideal for creating a robust hedge.

Elaeagnus ebbingei thrives in shady, dry, seaside, or windy locations. It is well-suited to exposed areas but should be avoided in cold, wet, or very alkaline sites. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and promotes healthy growth.

For similar hedging with variegated foliage, consider Oleaster 'Limelight', which features yellow patterning in the centre of its leaves, or Oleaster 'Gilt Edge', which has bright yellow edges.

Elaeagnus ebbingei is an excellent choice for creating a hardy, low-maintenance hedge that offers year-round visual appeal and resilience in challenging conditions.

Pruning Advice

Oleaster should be trimmed in late summer after flowering if you are forming a hedge. Simply trim out or cut back any diseased, longer or unruly shoots to retain the shaping. In addition, remove any plain green leaved shoots when they appear and cut back to where they emerge from the plant.

Pruning in late summer will however strip out the short spurs which bear fruit. If you wish to harvest the fruit or leave for the wildlife, then pruning should be conducted in mid-spring through April and May.

Further Information

Our recommended planting densities for each size and root type are listed in the product grid. These should be used as a guide when considering the time you are willing to wait for your hedge to achieve its full appearance. As a general indication, bare root plants can be spaced at 3 to 7 per metre, while cell-grown plants can be spaced between 4 and 6 per metre. For higher densities, consider planting in a double staggered row or a zig-zag pattern.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £100 | or £7.99 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £100 | or £14.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £60 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.