shrub

Russian Olive

The Story

Plant Bio

Elaeagnus angustifolia is a deciduous, large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with a loose, open habit and thorny, ashy-brown branches covered in silvery scales. The alternate, lanceolate leaves feature dull pale green upper surfaces and densely scaled, silvery-white undersides that produce a distinctive shimmering effect.

Small, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers emerge in spring, showing silver on the exterior and yellow within the leaf axils. The plant hosts Frankia bacteria in root nodules to fix its own atmospheric nitrogen, enabling vigorous growth in sterile, nutrient-poor soils.

Uses & Benefits:

Distinctive silvery-white foliage and fragrant spring flowers provide strong visual contrast in dry landscapes.

Highly tolerant of salt spray, wind, and extreme drought, making it useful for stabilizing difficult coastal or dry sites.

Fixes atmospheric nitrogen to enrich sterile soils and provides nectar for generalist insect pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

240"

Width

354"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Multi-decade

Native To

Europe and Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic but has sharp thorns

Bloom period

Spring – Early summer

In flower about 4 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to maximize foliage density and the intensity of the silvery leaf color.
Plant in well-drained soil, though the shrub tolerates poor, sandy, or heavy clay substrates across a wide pH range.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system.
Withhold nitrogen fertilizers entirely, as the plant's root nodules naturally fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Prune in late winter to remove root suckers and maintain a single-trunk or multi-stemmed form.

Pro Tip

Avoid pruning into old, leafless wood lacking dormant buds, as this prevents regrowth; instead, limit annual pruning to late winter to manage suckers and shape the canopy without triggering excessive epicormic shoots.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Grow in full sun to ensure dense, silvery foliage.
Ensure the soil drains thoroughly to prevent root rot.
Prune root suckers annually in late winter to control the plant's spread.

Don't

Do not apply nitrogen fertilizers, which are unnecessary and can disrupt the plant's nitrogen-fixing nodules.
Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood that lacks visible dormant buds.
Do not plant in highly humid summer climates where the species performs poorly.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

WindbreakHedgeErosion ControlCoastal Garden

Companion Plants

Morella pensylvanica Cornus racemosa Ilex verticillata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Russian Olive questions

What zones can Russian Olive grow in?

Russian Olive is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Russian Olive deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Russian Olive, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Russian Olive bloom?

Russian Olive typically blooms in spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Russian Olive need full sun?

Russian Olive does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Russian Olive drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Russian Olive handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.