Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'COMPACTA'

Evergreen silverthorn is a natural hybrid of e. macrophylla with large, evergreen, rather rounded leaves and vigorously growing e. pungens with narrower foliage and thorns. It is sometimes called Russian olive which is not correct as this name is already used for its deciduous sister e. angustifolia. It is described to have been discovered by a Dutch horticulturist Simon Doorenbos (1891-1980) who named it after another Dutch botanist J.W.E. Ebbinge in 1929. However, many years later it was pointed out that a Swiss botanist Camille Servettaz (1870-1947) found this mutation, too, and named it elaeagnus x submacrophylla already in 1909. In spite of that, the whole horticultural world still sticks to e. x ebbingei and we do, too, if you don’t mind.

Compacta is a recent selection of Ebbing's silverthorn, very probably of Italian origin (not confirmed). Unlike its mother plant - the species of Ebbing's silverthorn - it makes a compact and well-behaved shrub without overgrown twigs in one season. In fact, this sport makes quite a handsome shrub. It has more prominent silvery leaves when they emerge, as if covered with stardust, which mature to glossy dark green. They are evergreen, leathery but thinner than those on cherry laurels, and somewhat wavy. Another nice feature is the colour of the twigs and branches which exhibit several tones of honey - sandy yellow at the tops to orange brown at the bottom.

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. Being hard to see does not mean they are insignificant - their perfume is the essential attribute. They have a lovely, sweet fragrance, especially in late afternoon and the evening. After mild winters they are followed by edible fruit in spring. They are 1,5cm long with a small pit, oval, deep red, and taste like sweet morello cherries. It is best to let them ripen well which is when they begin to fall.
Evergreen silverthorn is also demanded as a standard tree which offers an instant and evergreen screening that blocks the unwanted views from neighbouring windows. It also serves as a handsome, small, specimen, evergreen tree if regularly trimmed. Compacta is a fast grower making 30-60 cm annually, still keeping a dense and compact habit.

You can prune it in almost any manner from spring till midsummer. Old plants can be rejuvenated by cutting into old wood in spring. It is soil adaptable but needs mulching in our climate to protect surface roots from dry frost. It is reasonably hardy yet we suggest planting it in winter shade in colder regions. Even after severe frosts it always re-sprouts from healthy wood and makes long new branches. Avoid heavy clay, boggy or wet conditions. Compacta is hardy to min. -23°C (USDA zone 6) but may withstand a few degrees lower with some minor leaf damage. In frost-free periods provide extra watering if the ground is not frozen.

Last update 09-01-2021