Elaeagnaceae
Spreading oleaster
Elaeagnus umbellata
Also known as Russian olive, Oleaster, Silver berry
Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Shrub · Wildlife · Pollinator · Berries · Fast-Growing · Deciduous · Nitrogen-Fixing · Drought-Tolerant · Invasive · Edible
Autumn olive is a vigorous, fast-growing deciduous shrub that tolerates a wide range of soils and is highly adaptable to difficult growing conditions. Its fragrant spring flowers attract pollinators and its small red berries provide valuable wildlife food, though be aware it is considered invasive in parts of North America and should be planted responsibly. Prune after flowering to control its size and spread.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 6 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply but infrequently; allow soil to dry between waterings once established · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Moderate
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 5.3–7.5
- Temperature
- 0°F to 90°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed, Cutting
Hardiness
USDA 5a-9b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 2 ft – 5 ft
- Spread
- 3 ft
- Spacing
- 120 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Medium
- Flowers
- Yes
- Foliage
- Coarse
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Afghanistan, Alabama, Arkansas, Assam, Azores, Cambodia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Connecticut, Costa Rica, Delaware, District Of Columbia, East Himalaya, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Birds
Sources: trefle, usda
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