Russian olive
Elaeagnus angustifolia · Elaeagnaceae
📷 Georg Slickers · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around russian olive and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Bohemian Olive
- Family
- Elaeagnaceae
- Type
- Deciduous shrub
- Adult height
- Up to 6 m
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water requirement
- Low
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-30°C)
- Origin
- Central Asia and Caucasus
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Elaeagnus angustifolia tolerates poor and dry soil once established. Low maintenance, but compost applied in late winter accelerates growth and flowering.
The common mistake
Impatience with its slow early growth: many uproot it after 3 years thinking it's dying, when it's just settling in at its own pace.
The pro's trick
Prune branches that cross after flowering to maintain a well-aerated silvery canopy.
Care
Exposure
Your Bohemian Olive demands full sun to develop well and flower abundantly. Plant it in an open location, sheltered from persistent cold winds if possible. A south or west-facing exposure works perfectly.
Watering
This shrub is very tolerant of drought once established. Water regularly during the first year after planting to encourage rooting. After that, natural rainfall is sufficient; water only during prolonged dry spells.
Soil
Bohemian Olive accepts all soil types, even poor, chalky, or well-drained ones. It tolerates dry and infertile terrain. Simply avoid waterlogged or poorly drained soils.
Pruning
Prune lightly after flowering (late May) to maintain a nice shape and control size. Remove dead or misplaced branches. The shrub tolerates pruning well and can be rejuvenated with more severe pruning if needed.
Fertilizing
Bohemian Olive doesn't require regular fertilizer. An application of well-decomposed compost in spring is more than enough. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers that encourage excessive foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
This shrub is not very susceptible to common diseases. Occasionally watch for scale insects in hot, dry climates. Good air circulation and absence of moisture buildup prevent most problems.
Did you know?
The Bohemian Olive was once planted on a large scale in Central Asia to create natural windbreaks, and its small silvery fruits, rich in vitamin C, were consumed locally. Its name "angustifolia" literally means "narrow-leaved," a very recognizable characteristic: its fine, silvery leaves give it a particular elegance.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Sea buckthornHippophae rhamnoides
- Cherry silverberryElaeagnus multiflora
- Elaeagnus ebbingeiElaeagnus ebbingei
- Autumn oliveElaeagnus umbellata
- Canadian buffalo berryShepherdia canadensis
- SilverberryElaeagnus commutata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.