Elaeagnus umbellata
Autumn Olive, Autumn Elaeagnus
Elaeagnaceae
ExpandHabitat
- native to China, Korea and Japan
- hardy to zone 4
- Special Note: This species has demonstrated an invasive tendency in Connecticut, meaning it may escape from cultivation and naturalize in minimally managed areas. For more information, .
Habit and Form
- a deciduous large shrub
- 15' tall by 15' wide
- weedy appearance
- medium texture
- fast growth rate
Summer Foliage
- alternate, deciduous leaves
- simple leaves
- 2" to 4" long by approx. 1" wide
- elliptic leaf shape with a rounded leaf base
- leaves covered with silvery scales and brown lenticels
- bright green leaf color with silvery underside mixed with brown lenticels
Autumn Foliage
- no fall color
Flowers
- silvery white flowers
- fragrant
- 0.5" in diameter
- flowers are funnel shaped
- blooms in May
Fruit
- red globose fruits
- brown scales cover fruit
- ripen in September
- 0.33" long
- birds eat fruit
Bark
- silver-brown stems covered with numerous brown lenticels
- spines maybe present
- bark is a light gray
Culture
- full sun to light shade
- tolerant of drought, heat, wind
- prefers acidic, sandy soils
Landscape Use
- naturalistic areas
- wood edges
- for flowering and fruiting effect
- fragrance
Liabilities
- not recommended for residential use
- invasive
- weedy appearance
ID Features
- large spreading shrub, weedy appearance
- suckers / invasive
- alternate leaf arrangement
- brown lenticels cover every part of plant
- silvery look to foliage, fruit and flowers
Propagation
- by seed
Cultivars/Varieties
'Tizam' (Titan®) - This is a selected form exhibiting a dense, pronounced upright growth habit. It may reach 12' tall and 6' wide. Other attributes are similar to the species.