Topiary - Elaeagnus Pungens - Aurea (Pyramid)

Thorny elaeagnus is fast growing, easy to care for and tolerant of a wide variety of conditions.

Silverthorn is native to China and Japan.

If grown in the open and left unpruned this beautiful shrub will form a symmetrical mound of foliage that is up to 15 ft high and 20 ft in diameter the ultimate size being dependent on variety and climate.

Light: Part to full sun.
Moisture: Water when dry for best growth, but silverthorn is able to withstand drought even in light sandy soil. Constantly wet, soggy soil will kill.

Silverthorn is a huge sprawling shrub that shoots scores of long branchless stems into the air during the growing season.The slender young stems are very pliable and very fast growing. These stems, or "canes" bend to form great arcs if unsupported. When grown adjacent to other plantings silverthorn canes insinuate themselves into the situation as they weave their way among the host's branches in an aggressive bid for sunlight. Thorny elaeagnus, as it is also called, is a big and beautiful broad-leafed evergreen shrub. In the late autumn and early winter it produces scores of flowers that are cream colored, bell shaped, about 0.25 in long and are held in small clusters where the leaf joins the stem. To call them drab and nondescript is an understatement. Yet they can grab your attention from hundreds of yards away with their seriously strong-scented but delightfully appealing fragrance. The tiny flowers mature into dark small reddish brown fruits that have an unusual silvery textured surface. Silverthorn doesn't have actual thorns and actually there aren't that many of these non-thorns on the plants anyway. This plant has the interesting trait of forming newly emergent branch stems into very pointed stiff 1 in spikes that feel very much like thorns if you jam one into your flesh. Eventually though small leaves sprout from the thorn and the pointy spike quickly grows into a soft young stem. The oval leaves themselves are very attractive and arranged alternately along the stems.

None Known

The fruits are a favorite treat for birds and are said to be edible for humans too.. They're tart, seedy and not worth the effort - leave them for the birds. If you're looking for edible, consider the silverthorn's cousin the gumi or cherry elaeagnus (Elaeagnus multiflora) which is a tasty treat.

Propagated by softwood or hardwood cuttings and by seed. The Silverthorn responds well to pruning and makes an excellent evergreen hedge and barrier. It is often planted along highways and is useful in controlling soil erosion. This adaptable plant is tolerant of salt spray and so is a good choice for coastal locations. In cooler climates, silverthorn is grown in containers and moved indoors when winter approaches.

Most silverthorn cultivars have leaves that are 2-4 in long and many have wavy edges. Leaves are green on top and covered with small brown scales, the undersides are lighter and ike the fruit and bark, the undersides are coated with silvery flecks. The popular cultivar 'Fruitlandii' has large leaves that are bluish green on top and grows to form great mounds. There are some smaller cultivars like 'Nana' and ones with flashy variegation like 'Maculata' (aka 'Auro-maculata) with bright yellow variegation and 'Marginata' with creamy-edged leaves.