Silverberries
Botanical name: Elaeagnus
Silverberries
Botanical name: Elaeagnus
Description
The silverberries genus of plants got their common name from the American Lewis & Clark exploration of the western United States. Their fruits can be spread easily by birds and have gained a position on several invasive species lists. The Elaeagnus family is broad and includes over 50 different species making exact identification difficult.
Species of Silverberries
Silverberries 'Limelight'
A hybrid cross between Elaeagnus macrophylla and Elaeagnus pungens, silverberries 'Limelight' is a variegated selection distinguished by dark green leaves with lime green centers. The cultivar's name probably refers to the striking lime green color on the foliage. These irregular variegations make the cultivar very popular among gardeners.
Elaeagnus thunbergii
The elaeagnus thunbergii genus of plants got their common name from the American Lewis & Clark exploration of the western United States. Their fruits can be spread easily by birds and have gained a position on several invasive species lists. The Elaeagnus thunbergii family is broad and includes over 50 different species making exact identification difficult.
Russian olive
The name of russian olive (*Elaeagnus angustifolia*) came from its resemblance to an olive tree. However, it’s not even remotely related. It is indigenous to Central and Western Asia and is listed as a noxious weed in other countries, including the US, where it was initially imported as an ornamental. Russian olive produces showy, fragrant flowers and attracts birds with its berry-like fruit.
Cherry silverberry
Cherry silverberry is a shrub or small tree that grows in thin woodland, hillsides, and dense shrubbery. It has a symbiotic relationship with Frankia, a bacteria, which provides cherry silverberry with nitrogen. It is a high attractor of bees and is great to use for dappled shade or hedging in the garden.
Broad-leaved oleaster
Broad-leaved oleaster is a fragrant autumn flowering plant. Broad-leaved oleaster is an evergreen shrub that can fix nitrogen and is drought tolerant. It is often used as a hedging plant and is noted for its silvery hues.
Elaeagnus argyi
The elaeagnus argyi genus of plants got their common name from the American Lewis & Clark exploration of the western United States. Their fruits can be spread easily by birds and have gained a position on several invasive species lists. The Elaeagnus argyi family is broad and includes over 50 different species making exact identification difficult.
Silverberries 'Gilt Edge'
Serving as a radiant star in your garden, silverberries 'Gilt Edge' dazzles with gold-rimmed green leaves. Known for its hardiness, it flourishes even in the harshest conditions. Its understated silver-white blossoms, appearing in autumn, blanket the air with a delicate fragrance, enchanting and potentially attracting birds with its edible berries. A great choice for hedges or coastal areas due to its salt tolerance.
Silverberries 'Maculata'
The silverberries 'Maculata' genus of plants got their common name from the American Lewis & Clark exploration of the western United States. Their fruits can be spread easily by birds and have gained a position on several invasive species lists. The Elaeagnus pungens 'Maculata' family is broad and includes over 50 different species making exact identification difficult.
Bastard oleaster
Elaeagnus conferta is a species of Eleagnus found in Southeast Asia
Bent oleaster
The scrambling hybrid bent oleaster is a cold hardy plant that is noted for its trumpet like flowers and sweet fragrance. Bent oleaster is tolerant of maritime exposure and frequently used as a nitrogen fixer in gardens where it is utilized as an ornamental hedge in exposed positions.
Silverberry
The silverberry (*Elaeagnus commutata*) is a hardy ornamental shrub with multiple uses. The fruit is edible and contains vitamins A, C, and E, as well as essential fatty acids, which are rarely found in fruit. The fruit is valuable winter food for grouse, moose, deer and elk. This plant fixes nitrogen in the soil and increases fertility.
Thorny olive
Thorny olive (Elaeagnus pungens) is a flowering shrub native to Asia. Thorny olive is also commonly called silverthorn. In the United States, thorny olive is planted ornamentally in landscaping in the southeastern region. Thorny olive grows in variable temperate conditions, and it attracts birds.
Oldham elaeagnus
The oldham elaeagnus genus of plants got their common name from the American Lewis & Clark exploration of the western United States. Their fruits can be spread easily by birds and have gained a position on several invasive species lists. The Elaeagnus oldhamii family is broad and includes over 50 different species making exact identification difficult.
Autumn olive
This native Asian tree was planted widely around the US for erosion control. It fruits in bountiful clusters of flavorful, silver-spotted red berries. Unfortunately, autumn olive has outcompeted many local plants and is now considered an invasive species in North America.
Scientific Classification
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