Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Tree
  
Tree
  
Origin
Southern Europe, Russia/Siberia, Mediterranean, Central Asia, Southeastern Asia, China
  
Southeastern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
  
Types
not available
  
Not Available
  
Habitat
fencerows, Forest edges, mine spoils, Old fields, open Woodlands, Pastures, Roadsides, sand dunes
  
Dry Forest, Lowland
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-8
  
10-15
  
AHS Heat Zone
8-1
  
12-10
  
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19
  
H1, H2
  
Habit
Oval or Rounded
  
Oval or Rounded
  
Plant Size
  
  
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
White, Yellow green, Silver
  
Purple, Violet, Blue Violet
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Yellow, Silver
  
Yellow, Red
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
  
Green, Olive
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
  
Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
  
Green, Olive
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Not Available
  
Olive
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Ovate
  
Pinnate
  
Thorns
Yes
  
No
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Growth Rate
Fast
  
Very Slow
  
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
  
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter, Indeterminate
  
Repeat Bloomer
No
  
Yes
  
Tolerances
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
  
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Vegetative Reproduction
  
Seedlings
  
Plant Maintenance
Medium
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Do not let dry out between waterings, Do Not over Water
  
Average Water Needs, Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Requires regular watering
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Lots of watering
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
  
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
  
Loam, Sand
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
  
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Pruning
pruning needed for strong structure
  
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
  
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, slow-release fertilizers
  
Pests and Diseases
Canker, fungus, Insects, Leaf spot, Red blotch, Verticillium Wilt
  
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
  
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
  
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Single
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Fruit
Yes
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
Yes
  
Not Available
  
Foliage Texture
Fine
  
Fine
  
Foliage Sheen
Matte
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
Yes
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Birds
  
Birds, Butterflies
  
Allergy
Asthma
  
Skin irritation
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
  
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Ground Cover
  
Beauty Benefits
Not Available
  
Blood purifying
  
Edible Uses
Yes
  
No
  
Environmental Uses
Wildlife
  
Food for birds, Shadow Tree
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
Not Available
  
anti-inflammatory, Gout, Rheumatism, Sore throat
  
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
  
Fruits, Seeds, Wood
  
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
  
Used for its medicinal properties, Wood is used for ship building
  
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
  
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
  
Botanical Name
ELAEAGNUS angustifolia
  
GUAIACUM sanctum
  
Common Name
Russian Olive
  
Holy-wood, Lignum Vitae
  
In Hindi
रूस ओलिव
  
Holywood
  
In German
russische Olive
  
Holywood
  
In French
Olive russe
  
Holywood
  
In Spanish
oliva ruso
  
Holywood
  
In Greek
Ρωσική Ελιάς
  
Holywood
  
In Portuguese
Olive russo
  
Holywood
  
In Polish
rosyjski Olive
  
Holywood
  
In Latin
Russian Olive
  
Holywood
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Magnoliophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Rhamnales
  
Sapindales
  
Family
Elaeagnaceae
  
Zygophyllaceae
  
Genus
Elaeagnus
  
Guaiacum
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Subfamily
Not Available
  
Zygophylloideae