thorny olive
Elaeagnus pungens
USDA zones7 to 9
SunHandles full sun to partial sun
WaterHandles dry or moderate or wet soil
Size12 to 15 feet tall15 to 18 feet wide
- Growth rate
- Rapid
- Habit
- Arching
- Bloom season
- Autumn
- Bloom color
- Creamy white
- Foliage color
- Brown/copper, gray/silver, green
- Soil types
- Sand, loam, clay
Garden uses
Attracts
Notes
Thorny olive (Elaeagnus pungens) is an evergreen shrub for hedges, winter interest, and naturalized areas. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, or down to 0°F (-18°C). This plant likes full or part sun and dry to wet, sandy, loamy, or clay soil. It grows fast into a large, arching shrub, and its fragrant creamy white flowers open in early to late autumn and attract birds. It sits low on the menu for deer. Give it plenty of room to spread.
Pairs well with Common broom, Mondo grass, and Red spider lily.
Native range
Japan.