Elaeagnus Fruitlandii
(Elaeagnus pungens 'Fruitlandii')
- Type: Evergreen
- Light: Sun to partial shade
- Height: 10-15'
- Spread: 10-15'
- Flower: Silvery White
- Bloom: Fall
- Fruit: Red
- Fruit Time: Spring
Elaeagnus pungens, commonly called thorny elaeagnus or silverthorn, is native to China and Japan. It is a large, sprawling, durable, broad-leaved evergreen shrub that typically grows to 12-15' tall. Young branchlets are covered with brown scales. Small, bell-shaped, creamy white flowers bloom in clusters in late fall (October-November). Flowers are not particularly showy, but are intensely fragrant (some suggest gardenia-scented). Small, one-seeded, reddish-brown fruits (drupes to 1/2" long) typically ripen in spring (late March-May). Fruits are technically edible, but perhaps best left for the birds.