Elaeagnus × ebbingei – A Versatile and Hardy Evergreen Shrub with Year-Round Appeal
Elaeagnus × ebbingei, commonly known as Ebbinge's silverberry, is a robust and versatile evergreen shrub that brings year-round interest to the garden. Known for its silvery, lance-shaped leaves, this hardy shrub adds a touch of elegance to hedges, screens, and mixed borders. It produces small, fragrant flowers in late autumn to early winter, followed by bright red fruits that attract birds and wildlife. With its dense, bushy growth habit, Elaeagnus × ebbingei is perfect for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or adding structure to garden designs. Its adaptability and low-maintenance nature make it a great choice for a wide variety of garden settings.
Why Grow Elaeagnus × ebbingei?
-
Attractive, Silver-Foliage – The silvery underside of the leaves, combined with its glossy green top, creates a striking contrast that brings a touch of colour and texture to any landscape.
-
Hardy and Resilient – Elaeagnus × ebbingei is highly adaptable and can thrive in a wide range of conditions, from coastal areas to more inland gardens. It tolerates drought, wind, and salt, making it an excellent choice for challenging environments.
-
Fragrant Flowers and Berries – In late autumn to early winter, this shrub produces small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers that bring a sweet scent to the garden. These are followed by bright red fruits that are attractive to birds.
-
Low Maintenance – Once established, this shrub is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning and care while maintaining its full, dense form. It is also relatively pest- and disease-resistant.
Height and Size of Elaeagnus × ebbingei
Elaeagnus × ebbingei typically grows to a height of 2 to 4 metres (6 to 12 feet), with a spread of 2 to 3 metres (6 to 10 feet). Its dense, bushy growth habit makes it an ideal choice for creating natural hedges, screens, or windbreaks in larger gardens.
Where to Site Your Elaeagnus × ebbingei
Elaeagnus × ebbingei is a versatile plant that thrives in various locations:
-
Full Sun to Partial Shade – This shrub prefers full sun to partial shade, but it can tolerate some light shade. Full sun helps it develop its best foliage colour and promotes abundant flowering.
-
Well-Drained Soil – It is adaptable to many types of soil, though it prefers well-drained, slightly alkaline to neutral soil. It can also tolerate poor, sandy, or clay soils once established.
-
Windbreaks and Hedges – Elaeagnus × ebbingei’s dense growth and height make it ideal for creating privacy screens, windbreaks, or hedges, especially in exposed or coastal gardens where its salt tolerance is an asset.
-
Borders and Mixed Plantings – This shrub can also be used in mixed borders or as part of a larger landscape design, where its attractive foliage and seasonal flowers can enhance the overall aesthetic.
How to Grow and Care for Your Elaeagnus × ebbingei
-
Soil – Elaeagnus × ebbingei is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clay. It prefers well-drained, moderately fertile soil but can tolerate less-than-ideal conditions, including poor or dry soils.
-
Light – This shrub does best in full sun, which encourages the best foliage colour and flower production. It can tolerate partial shade, but flowering may be less abundant in shadier spots.
-
Watering – Water regularly when the plant is establishing itself. Once established, Elaeagnus × ebbingei is drought-tolerant and can withstand periods of dry weather, though it performs best with consistent moisture during dry spells.
-
Pruning – Minimal pruning is needed. Regular trimming after flowering can help maintain its shape and size. Remove any dead or damaged growth to keep the shrub healthy.
-
Mulching – Apply mulch around the base of the plant to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. This is especially helpful in hotter climates or during dry spells.
-
Pest and Disease Resistance – Elaeagnus × ebbingei is generally resistant to most pests and diseases. It may occasionally suffer from aphid infestations or scale, but these can usually be managed easily. It's also resistant to deer browsing.
-
Cold Hardy – Hardy in USDA zones 7 to 9, this shrub is well-suited for mild to temperate climates, though it can tolerate occasional frost. It is also well-suited to coastal gardens where it can withstand salt and wind exposure.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Elaeagnus × ebbingei pairs well with:
-
Other Evergreen Shrubs – Combine with other evergreen plants like boxwood, holly, or laurel for a structured and year-round landscape. Its silvery foliage contrasts beautifully with the darker green of other shrubs.
-
Flowering Perennials – Use as a backdrop for flowering plants such as lavender, echinacea, or roses, where its attractive foliage will highlight the blooms and provide contrast.
-
Ornamental Grasses – Its dense, bushy growth works well with ornamental grasses like miscanthus or pampas grass, adding both texture and colour contrast to the garden.
-
Wildlife-Friendly Plants – The red berries of Elaeagnus × ebbingei attract birds, making it an excellent choice for wildlife-friendly gardens. Pair it with other berry-producing plants or flowering plants that attract pollinators.
Whether used as a hedge, windbreak, or focal shrub, Elaeagnus × ebbingei brings year-round interest to any garden. Its resilience, fragrant flowers, and striking foliage make it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, versatile plant that thrives in a variety of conditions.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
