Russian olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia
USDA zones3 to 7
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry to moist soil
Size12 to 20 feet tall12 to 20 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Bloom season
- Spring, summer
- Bloom color
- Silver-white (outside) and yellow (inside)
- Foliage color
- Gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Attracts
Notes
Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a tree. It is hardy to USDA zone 3, or down to -40°F (-40°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to moist, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It grows fast to 12 to 20 feet tall and wide, with gray and silver leaves. It sits low on the menu for deer. The silver-white flowers have yellow centers, smell sweet, open in spring and early summer, and attract birds.
Pairs well with Red pine, Hackberry, Purrsian Blue nepeta, and Scentara Double Blue lilac.
Native range
Asia.