Elaeagnus pungens 'HOSUBA FUKURIN'

Hosuba Fukurin is a recent introduction to the evergreen silverthorn family. It has narrowly ovate to elliptic, glossy, evergreen, leathery, rich green leaves with creamy beige variegation at margins. They are covered with silver dots on the upper side and their reverse is entirely silver-grey. Young twigs and canes are orange-brown and have short, prickly thorns which are a good repellent against unwanted animals. It some countries this shrub is used for impenetrable hedges keeping vermin out.

Tiny flowers appear in late summer and early autumn, and even though they are difficult to spot at the first sight you can definitely smell them from a few meters. They have a lovely, sweet fragrance, especially on sunny afternoons and evenings. They are followed by edible fruit in spring. They are 1-1.5 cm long, oval berries of deep red colour and taste of sour cherries. They need a mild winter to persist until spring when they mature.

Silverthorn grows fast and vigorously but this variety is a more moderate grower making about 20-40 cm long, predominantly horizontal branches per year. You can prune it at almost any time from spring till autumn. It is soil adaptable as it can fix nitrogen from atmosphere and distribute it to its roots. It only needs good winter mulching in our climate to protect surface roots from heavy frost. It will not live in boggy and wet conditions. This is a tough plant that is even grown in warmest parts of Siberia, and if it manifests some damage after a harsh winter it readily regenerates from healthy wood. Hardy to about -23°C.

Last update 02-11-2012