Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'LIMELIGHT'

Evergreen silverthorn is a hybrid from e.macrophylla and e.pungens. Thanks to the foliage of the species it is sometimes called Russian olive which is not correct as this name is already used for its deciduous sister elaeagnus angustifolia.

Limelight is my personal favourite among evergreen silverthorns. It has ovate, up to 10 cm long, leathery but thin leaves that are bright yellow in the middle and deep green at margins. The area between the centres and margins is light, soft green so the overall effect is 3-coloured. Newly emerging leaves and twigs are silvery-beige. Limelight grows fastest among all silverthorns with coloured foliage. New branches that bear only green leaves should be cut off asap.

Apart from the foliage this plant is also interesting for its almost invisible flowers. They are tiny and appear from late summer to early autumn and are hard to see unless you look up close. But you can definitely smell them. They have a lovely, sweet fragrance, especially in the evening. They are followed by fruit in spring. 1,5cm long, oval fruit is deep red and taste like dark cherries. It is best to let them ripen well which is when it begins to fall. The plant can hold the fruit only if the winter is mild.

Silverthorn is a fast and vigorous grower. You can prune it almost any time from spring till autumn. It is soil adaptable but needs mulching in our climate to protect surface roots from heavy frost. We suggest planting it in winter shade in colder regions. Even after severe frosts it re-sprouts from healthy wood and makes long new branches. It will not live in boggy and wet conditions. Hardy to min. -20°C (USDA zone 6b), should the temperature drop lower protect it with white woven for maximum of 2 weeks. In frost-free periods provide extra watering if the ground is not frozen.

Last update 19-02-2010