Russian Olive Tree Evergreen
Autumn and russian olive are non native upright deciduous shrubs that commonly reach heights up to 20 feet tall.
Russian olive tree evergreen. Perfect for exposed dry and windy conditions and also a great choice for hedging in partly shady areas. T he russian olive tree is one of the hardiest of plants used in american gardens. There are many different kinds of elaeagnus from virtually all parts of the northern hemisphere. Fragrant cream flowers show in april may.
Russian olive drupes are also palpable to humans whereas autumn olive aren t. It is now also widely established in north america as an introduced species. Russian olive elaeagnus angustifolia which grows in usda zones 3 through 7 is a deciduous tree or large shrub with silvery leaves and fruits that look like olives. Russian olive is a beautiful shrub.
Cultivate for the first two years. Elaeagnus angustifolia commonly called persian olive russian olive silver berry oleaster or wild olive is a species of elaeagnus native to western and central asia iran from southern russia and kazakhstan to turkey and parts of pakistan. Russian olive is not toxic to animals and the fruits are attractive to some wildlife. Name elaeagnus angustifolia family elaeagnaceae type shrub.
It is a hardy tree way up to the canadian border and considerably beyond. Both are enjoyable to kill but autumn olive is more of a challenge to get rid of. Leaves are grey green. A member of the oleaster family its scientific name is elaeagnus angustifolia.
Plant six feet apart in rows eight feet apart. Autumn olive is harder to eradicate evergreen spinier and nastier overall. Russian olive is low in water requirements and displays a high tolerance for salt and alkali. For a windbreak plant two to five rows for the most effective protection.
Each russian olive flower is composed of four white or yellow petals that open in late spring. Its smooth silvery leaves resemble those of a willow tree and measure 1 to 4 inches long by 1 2 to 1 inch wide. The plants are exceptionally vigorous and have been reported as invasive in some areas. Its name comes from its native region southern russia and the resemblance to the olive tree around the mediterranean.
Height 6 to 13 feet 2 to 4 meters exposure full sun part sun soil ordinary. Both species are widely distributed in the united states since planting began in the mid 1800s to provide food and cover for wildlife ornamental use road bank stabilization erosion control strip mine reclamation and shelterbelts.