Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'COMPACTA' evergreen silverthorn

Compacta is a recent selection of Evergreen (Ebbing's) silverthorn, very probably of Italian origin (not confirmed). Unlike its mother plant - the species of Ebbing's silverthorn - it makes a compact and well-behaved shrub without overgrown twigs in one season. In fact, this sport makes quite a handsome shrub. It has more prominent silvery leaves when they emerge, as if covered with stardust, which mature to glossy dark green. They are evergreen, leathery but thinner than those on cherry laurels, and somewhat wavy. Another nice feature is the colour of the twigs and branches which exhibit several tones of honey - sandy yellow at the tops to orange brown at the bottom.

Apart from the foliage this plant is also interesting for its almost invisible flowers. They are tiny and appear from late summer to early autumn. Being hard to see does not mean they are insignificant - their perfume is the essential attribute. They have a lovely, sweet fragrance, especially in late afternoon and the evening. After mild winters they are followed by edible fruit in spring. They are 1,5cm long with a small pit, oval, deep red, and taste like sweet morello cherries. It is best to let them ripen well which is when they begin to fall.

You can prune it at almost any time from spring till autumn. It is soil adaptable but needs mulching in our climate to protect surface roots from dry frost. It is reasonably hardy yet we suggest planting it in winter shade in colder regions. Even after severe frosts it always re-sprouts from healthy wood and makes long new branches. Avoid heavy clay, boggy or wet conditions. It is hardy to min. -23°C (USDA zone 6), and should the temperature drop lower protect it with white woven for maximum of 2 weeks. In frost-free periods provide extra watering if the ground is not frozen.

Last update 07-10-2018