Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'COASTAL GOLD'

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. And to go on with correctness, the name elaeagnus x ebbingei is now regarded illegitimate. Reason given that the previously published name elaeagnus x submacrophylla from 1909 had priority. That is a bit of a puzzle because the hybrid itself was first discovered 20 years after the publication - in 1929. How can one name a plant that was not discovered yet? So with all respect for the time being we stick to e. x ebbingei.

Coastal Gold is another eye-catching variety of evergreen silverthorn which originated just like its other variegated sisters - by natural mutation. Its leaves have dark green margins and rich yellow centres occupying up to 80% of the surface. They are evergreen, leathery, and glossy. One might wonder why we need another yellow/green silverthorn having Limelight and Eleador already. Just take a close look at the leaves and you will see - they are much broader, and definitely not flat - they look like a bodybuilder's six-pack with slightly wavy margins. Newly emerging leaves are silvery-beige. Twigs are orange-brown and the colder weather comes in autumn the deeper the colour gets.

Apart from the foliage this plant is also interesting for its almost invisible but very fragrant flowers. They are tiny and appear from late summer to early autumn. They have a lovely, sweet perfume that is distributed especially on sunny and warm afternoons and evenings. They are followed by edible fruit in spring. About 1,5cm long, oval fruit is deep red and taste like sweeter dark cherries. It is best to let them ripen well which is when they begin to fall. The plant can hold the fruit only after mild winters.

Coastal Gold silverthorn is a fast grower making 30-60 cm per year. It is both upright and spreading. 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. -23°C (USDA zone 6) and withstands a few degrees lower with some burnt foliage that is quickly replaced by late spring. In frost-free periods provide extra watering on days when the ground is not frozen.

Last update 05-02-2019