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| Photo Credit: Lynn Means |
| What they lack in size, the inconspicuous blooms make up for with an abundance of fragrance. |
Whether you’re establishing the skeleton of your garden or filling in some gaps, Elaeagnus may be just what you’re looking for! Pronounced “el-ee-AG-nus,” this big, beautiful shrub appears to be one color, but then along comes a gust of wind to reveal different shades. And with more than 50 varieties to choose from, it’s easy to pick a winner from this group of plants!
The shrub’s unique olive green leaves with silver or brown scales, fall fragrance and edible fruit work together to make the beauty a year-round favorite. But part of this plant’s popularity also comes from its ability to grow quickly and adapt to adverse climate conditions. | Add Photo to Journal |  | | Photo Credit: Lynn Means | | Though the plant’s young, I don’t worry about my Elaeagnus during the dog days of summer thanks to its tough, drought-resistant nature. |
In fact, this hardy shrub even stands up to very dry conditions! During a summer of extraordinary drought conditions here in the Southeast, my Elaeagnus held their own, requiring little or no watering. They’re actually happiest in problem areas created by nature, like hot sun and poor soil conditions, as well as in tough areas created by me – like growing far beyond the reach of our longest hose!
Do you live along a coastline? Try this terrific shrub! It tolerates high winds and other maritime forces, including salt-laden moisture. Even in a container, the hardy evergreen species are happy! And go ahead and try them by the pool: Chlorine exposure won’t stunt the resilient plant’s growth! Few shrubs grow as fast as Elaeagnus, too, making this an excellent choice for hedges and green screens where you want to obscure a less-than-desirable view. With a range of varieties and sizes to choose from, you can expect your shrubs to grow to heights of 6-15 feet with widths in proportion to their mounded shape. Of course, climate and growing conditions will govern how quickly your Elaeagnus reaches maturity, but it won’t be long before your screening needs are a thing of the past.
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