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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Elaeagnaceae (Oleasters) |
| Origin: Asia, East (Asia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Creamy White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| 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 multiflora (Cherry Silverberry) - A deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub or small tree to 9 feet tall by 6 feet wide with dark brown bark, young branches covered with brown scales and ovate 1 to 2 inch long leaves that are green above and silvery below. In midspring appear the half inch long yellowish-white fragrant flowers that are held individually or in pairs in the leaf axils. Flowers are followed in summer by the edible bright red cheery-like fruits that gives this plant its common name. Plant in full to part sun in most any soil from sandy to clay, but best in a decently well-draining situation. As with others in its genus, this plant has nitrogen-fixing root nodules which allows it to grow in poorer soils. Irrigate regularly to infrequently as this species is tolerant of both wet and dry soils and it can handle moderate drought conditions as well as direct seaside exposure. It is hardy plant that can be grown in gardens in USDA Zone 4 and above. Elaeagnus multiflora is a useful shrub for use as a screen or informal hedge with a nice fragrance and is also attractive to bees. We however initially grew this plant for its use by Bonsai enthusiasts as it make a very attractive and trainable specimen. Cherry Silverberry grows naturally in hilly woodlands and valleys from 2,000 to 6,000 feet in elevation in China, Korea and Japan. 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 means "many flowered". It is also commonly called goumi or gumi. We thank John Bleck for giving us cuttings of this plant from a plant that he was training as a bonsai specimen which he grew from cuttings he received at a California Shohin Society seminar in Santa Nella, California.
This information about Elaeagnus multiflora displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate 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 that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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