Oleaster Hedge (Elaeagnus x ebbingei)

Elaeagnus ebbingei Hedge Plants Description

Elaeagnus ebbingei, commonly known as Oleaster or sometimes Silverberry, is notable for its subtly fragrant white flowers in autumn and small orange fruits in spring. The leaves are dark green with silver speckles and have silver-coloured undersides, creating a striking effect when the wind blows and reveals the underside of the leaves. Elaeagnus ebbingei is relatively fast-growing, at approximately 30-50 cm per year, and should be pruned to shape in autumn.

As a robust evergreen shrub, Oleaster is well-suited to shady, dry, seaside, or windy locations, but it is not recommended for cold, wet, or very alkaline sites. Despite these limitations, Elaeagnus ebbingei is classified as an excellent hedging plant for exposed areas. For those seeking 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.

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.