Autumn Elaeagnus is one of the best shrubs for autumn effect and at one time was highly both for rapid growth and modest price, the problem is – it crowds out native species (see invasivespeciesinfo.gov). Its artistic merits rest on beautiful silvery foliage and heavy masses of pink and red fruits. The latter are effective for two months or more, usually beginning in September, and are produced in such abundance that the branchlets are weighted to the ground.
Botanically, autumn elaeagnus is Elaeagnus umbellata, native over a great portion of eastern Asia, from the Himalayas to Japan. Although described years before in Thunberg’s writings, plants of this species were evidently first introduced to Europe in 1830 by the Bavarian physician Siebold. This sturdy shrub shares the distinctive trait of other oleasters in having shoots and leaves and even the outside of the flowers densely armoured with a coating of minute scales. In autumn elaeagnus these scales are light brown or silvery gray and give plants their characteristic color.
The narrowly oblong leaves are arranged alternately along the shoots and average between 2, and 3 inches in length. They are distinctive for their bright green upper surface and shiny silvery undersides. Some may remain longer, but in general they have fallen by early winter.
The small silvery trumpets of flowers come in mid or late spring, in umbel-like clusters near the base of the young shoots just starting to develop. The attractive portion of the flowers is made up of calyx, and four lobes at the apex of the small tube indicate that the flowers have a component of four sepals. Petals are lacking. In addition to their very beautiful detail when examined carefully, especially under a magnifying glass, the flowers have a rich and pleasing fragrance.
Like Small Olives or Plums
Autumn elaeagnus fruits are actually analogous to small olives or plums. as each has a single stone or seed. The fruits are roundish and about of an inch long. At first they are greenish or grayish but later become a rich deep pink and finally deep red. During the latter stages, they are full size and unusually rich in appearance. They have good flavor – much better than the American species of this genus – and it is reported that they are found very delicate and agreeable in preserves.
The landscape values of autumn elaeagnus are appreciated more fully, perhaps, than their culinary ones. In an abundance of sunlight and virtually any soil that is well drained, they grow exuberantly and stand temperatures well below zero without injury. Their record and troubles with plant pests and diseases are uncommon.
It must be mentioned, however, that unless these shrubs are cut back drastically after eight or ten years, specimens may become entirely too large for many situations. When there is plenty of room, they go happily on with no real need for pruning except in occasional storm damage. The spreading branches soon occupy 10 or 15 feet of space from the central crown of a plant, and their heavy burden of fruits and vigorous shoot growth carries them nearer and nearer the ground.
In some positions these low branches can be retained. The effect is very picturesque and suggests great age. If it becomes desirable, however, the low branches can be cut off at the crown and the plants kept to a more upright habit or somewhat vase-shaped outline. The specific treatment to be followed should depend on how the plants have been used. Autumn elaeagnus in borders and screen plantings can be allowed to develop naturally. They require practically, no pruning or attention of any kind, except admiration! Specimens are very effective on terrace banks and steep slopes as their branches adapt themselves to the topography. The display of fruits can be enjoyed from any point but it is especially dramatic when seen from below, as one looks up through the heavily weighted branches.
A particularly good subject for combination with this oleaster is Japanese yew (Taxes cuspidata). The fruit displays of both come at the same time and make a striking combination in tones of red. The yews give their valued green of winter foliage, which contrasts well with the gray bark and silvery branchlets of the elaeagnus. Both grow larger than most of us count on when they are set out as small plants, and in later years both can receive whatever treatments in girth control may be necessary.
