Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Europe, Russia/Siberia, Mediterranean, Central Asia, Southeastern Asia, China
World/Pandemic, North America, Europe, Russia/Siberia, Africa, Asia
Types
Elaeagnus angustifolia
austrocalifornicus , effusus , laxus , pacificus , solutus
Habitat
fencerows, Forest edges, mine spoils, Old fields, open Woodlands, Pastures, Roadsides, sand dunes
All sorts of environments, Banks, ditches, marshes, Shores of rivers or lakes
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-8
6-9
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19
H1, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Clump-Forming
Flower Color
White, Yellow green, Silver
Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Yellow, Silver
-
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green
Leaf Color in Winter
-
Green, Tan, Sandy Brown
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Long hair-like leaves
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Well drained
Poorly Drained
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
Early Summer, Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Tolerances
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
Drought
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Vegetative Reproduction
Divison, reseeds
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Medium
Watering Requirements
Do not let dry out between waterings, Do Not over Water
Does not require regular watering
In Summer
Lots of watering
Lots of watering
In Spring
Moderate
Moderate
In Winter
Average Water
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
Poorly Drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
pruning needed for strong structure
Prune to control growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
Pests and Diseases
Canker, fungus, Insects, Leaf spot, Red blotch, Verticillium Wilt
-
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
Drought
Flowers
Showy
Insignificant
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Fine
Fine
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Glossy
Attracts
Birds
Bumblebees, Flying insects
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Informal Hedge, Woodland margins
Environmental Uses
Wildlife
Air purification
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
-
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
woven into the covering of tatami mats
Used As Indoor Plant
No
No
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Topiary / Bonsai / Espalier
Bog Garden, Container, Mixed Border, Water Gardens
Botanical Name
ELAEAGNUS angustifolia
JUNCUS effusus
Common Name
Russian Olive
Soft Rush
In Hindi
रूस ओलिव
Soft Rush
In German
russische Olive
Soft Rush
In French
Olive russe
Soft Rush
In Spanish
oliva ruso
Soft Rush
In Greek
Ρωσική Ελιάς
Soft Rush
In Portuguese
Olive russo
Soft Rush
In Polish
rosyjski Olive
Soft Rush
In Latin
Russian Olive
Soft Rush
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Liliopsida
Family
Elaeagnaceae
Juncaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Commelinids, Monocots