Life Span
Perennial
Perennial
Origin
Southern Europe, Russia/Siberia, Mediterranean, Central Asia, Southeastern Asia, China
Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Types
Elaeagnus angustifolia
-
Habitat
fencerows, Forest edges, mine spoils, Old fields, open Woodlands, Pastures, Roadsides, sand dunes
bottomlands, Depression on prairies, ditches, Floodplains, Riverbanks, stream banks, Swamps
USDA Hardiness Zone
2-8
4-9
Sunset Zone
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19
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
Oval or Rounded
Flower Color
White, Yellow green, Silver
Yellow, Brown
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
Bicolor
Fruit Color
Yellow, Silver
Black
Leaf Color in Spring
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Green, Light Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Light Green, Gray Green, Silver
Yellow, Light Yellow, Tan
Leaf Shape
Ovate
Oval with a pointed tip and fine teeth along their edges
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
Average
Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
Spring
Tolerances
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
Wet Site, Pollution, Soil Compaction
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground
How to Plant?
Seedlings, Vegetative Reproduction
Seedlings
Plant Maintenance
Medium
Low
Watering Requirements
Do not let dry out between waterings, Do Not over Water
Requires a lot of watering, Requires 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
Average
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
pruning needed for strong structure
Prune in the late winter or spring, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Shape and thin as needed
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, No need to fertilize every year
Pests and Diseases
Canker, fungus, Insects, Leaf spot, Red blotch, Verticillium Wilt
Aphids, Red blotch, Sawfly Larvae
Plant Tolerance
Pollution, Salt, Soil Compaction
Pollution, Soil Compaction, Wet Site
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Foliage Texture
Fine
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Matte
Matte
Aesthetic Uses
Showy Purposes
Showy Purposes
Environmental Uses
Wildlife
Erosion control, Wildlife
Part of Plant Used
Whole plant
Whole plant
Other Uses
Used as Ornamental plant
used for making roof trusses, poles, joists, piles, Used in construction, Used in Furniture
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
Feature Plant, Shade Trees
Botanical Name
ELAEAGNUS angustifolia
BETULA nigra
Common Name
Russian Olive
River Birch
In Hindi
रूस ओलिव
River Birch
In German
russische Olive
Fluss Birch
In French
Olive russe
Birch river
In Spanish
oliva ruso
river Birch
In Greek
Ρωσική Ελιάς
ποταμός Birch
In Portuguese
Olive russo
river Birch
In Polish
rosyjski Olive
Rzeka Birch
In Latin
Russian Olive
Betula
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Family
Elaeagnaceae
Betulaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids