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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Elaeagnaceae (Oleasters) |
| Origin: Japan (Asia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Creamy White |
| Bloomtime: Fall |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Height: 12-16 feet |
| Exposure: Cool Sun/Light Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 0-10° F |
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Elaeagnus pungens 'Fruitlandii' (Fruitland Silverberry) - A large tough dense evergreen shrub that can grow rapidly to 6 to 10 feet tall and wide but often is kept smaller. It has angular branches bearing large linear ovate leaves that are silvery in new growth and mature to an olive green color dotted with silver scales on the upper surface and solid silver-dotted with brown scales beneath. Fragrant, small creamy-white flowers in pendant cluster appear in the fall followed by brownish red fruit. Can be grown in full sun to light shade with moderate to low irrigation and is seaside tolerant. Hardy to 0-10°F (damaged reported at -3°F) and useful down to USDA zone 6. Although a plant native to coastal regions in Japan and China it is notable that this plant can tolerate nearly any condition from the beach to high and low deserts where aridity, wind, poor soils, high heat and relatively low temperatures do not faze it. Makes a great large screen or hedge plant and foliage is useful in fall flower arrangements. This plant is an old cultivar that was introduced in the mid to late 19th century by Prosper J. A. Berckmans at Fruitland Nurseries in Augusta, Georgia. It is noted in Michael Dirr's "Manual of Woody Landscape Plants" as being differrent from the species in having a more symetrical form with larger more rounded wavy-margined leaves that have sillver undersides. We offered this plant starting in 1991 but it seemed to lose favor and we discontinued growing it in 1999. Realizing that it is one of the most durable, useful and interesting large plants that can be grown, we decided to begin growing it again in 2008. There are a couple interpretations of the name Elaeagnus. One is that it is from the Greek word 'elaia', the ancient name for the olive tree and 'agnos' a name for a the chaste-tree (Vitex agnus-castus) and another is that it comes from a name given to wild olives by Dioscorides, the physician of ancient Greece. The specific epithet is a Latin word meaning "prickly" or "penetrating".
The information about Elaeagnus pungens 'Fruitlandii' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant. |
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