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ELAEAGNUS umbellata
Commonly known as Autumn olive
Vigorous spreading shrub or small tree. Leaves which are silvery at first maturing to bright green on upper surface. Silvery yellow-white flowers and silvery fruit
Further Reading....
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Deciduouswavy-margined leaves to 10cm (4in) long.
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Height5m (16ft)
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Spread5m (16ft)
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TreeWide-spreading. Silvery fruits turn red in autumn.
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Hardy - cold winterHardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters. May not withstand open/exposed sites or central/northern locations. Plant can withstand temperatures down to -15°C (5°F)
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Full sun
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Partial shade
ELAEAGNUS umbellata
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Additional FeaturesMedicinal propertiesThe 1cm (½in) long fruit is edible when ripe and contains 7-17 times the amount of the antioxidant lycopene than tomatoes.Pests & DiseasesCoral spot.Place of originHimalayas, China, Japan.
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Garden Location/ConditionsCoastal / windsweptSuitable for small gardens
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HardinessFully hardy
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Leaf marginEntire
(see photos above) -
Leaf shapeElliptic
(see photos above) -
Pruning groupPruning group 1Suitable for: Deciduous and evergreen trees, and some deciduous shrubs.
Pruning: Minimal pruning required. Prune wayward or crossing branches to maintain a healthy framework.
When: When dormant in the late winter/early spring. Some in the summer/autumn to prevent bleeding of sap.
RHS group 1Pruning group 2Suitable for: Deciduous shrubs and trees that flower in Spring or early Summer on previous year's growth, including plants that produce new growth at or near ground level.
Pruning: Prune flowered shoots to strong buds. Cut back approximately 1/4 of old shoots to the base to promote replacement growth.
When: Annually, after flowering.
RHS groups 2 & 3 -
Scented PlantsScented flowers
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Seasonal InterestAutumnSpringSummer
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Soil ConditionsFertile well drained soilCan become chlorotic on shallow chalky soil.
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Tree ShapeRounded to broadly spreading
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Elaeagnus - Growing Guide
Trees - Care Guide
- How to plant a tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- How to plant a tree
- Ties - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Restaking fallen young trees - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Fallen old tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Clearing up fallen beech tree - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Spring pruning - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing side shoots - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Pruning and Shaping Magnolia - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Deer protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Weed Spraying - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing Ivy - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing wire protection - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Tree Survey - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Crown uplift - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing shoots below graft - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Removing peeling bark - Video Tip ondemand_video
- Maintaining variegation - Video Tip ondemand_video
5m (16ft)
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5m (16ft) |
Useful extras...

Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00

Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50