Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Design with this plant

Overview

The Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a hardy, deciduous shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 12-20 feet with an equal spread. It boasts narrow, silver-green leaves and fragrant, yellowish flowers in late spring, followed by olive-like fruits. Adaptable to various soils, it thrives in full sun and tolerates drought. Its use in design offers erosion control, windbreaks, and wildlife habitats with a rustic aesthetic. Zones 3-8.

Sun Full, HalfWater Low, Very LowZones 3–7

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — deciduous shrub or small tree

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — deciduous shrub or small tree

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — silver-green leaves and fragrant

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — The Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a hardy

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — Adaptable to various soils, it thrives in full sun and tolerates drought

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — yellowish flowers in late spring

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — followed by olive-like fruits

Culture

Sun: Full, Half
Water: Low, Very Low
USDA zones: 3–7

Shape & size

Classification

Family: Elaeagnaceae

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (81)

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — reaching heights of 12-20 feet with an equal spread

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — deciduous shrub or small tree

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — silver-green leaves and fragrant

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — The Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is a hardy

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — Adaptable to various soils, it thrives in full sun and tolerates drought

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — yellowish flowers in late spring

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — followed by olive-like fruits

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — lance-shaped leaves grow up to 4 inches long

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — inconspicuous yet attractive

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — presenting a silvery-green hue due to tiny scales on the surface

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — Typically, it attains heights of 15 to 25 feet, with a similar spread, creating a rounded, open canopy

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — Its use in design offers erosion control, windbreaks, and wildlife habitats with a rustic aesthetic

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — is a resilient deciduous tree favored for its adaptability and ornamental features

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — ripening to a muted olive green

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — These blossoms give way to elongated

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — the fruits offer ornamental interest and food for wildlife

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — silver-scaled fruits about 0.5 inches in length

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — including salt and urban pollution

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — the Russian Olive thrives in full sun to partial shade

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — It is drought tolerant once established, making it a practical choice for xeriscaping

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — Its preference for well-drained soils does not confine it; the tree copes well with a range of soil conditions

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — exemplifying its versatile nature.<br><br>Given its rapid growth rate

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — Regular pruning may be required to maintain the desired shape and prevent overproliferation

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — this species is suitable as a windbreak or privacy screen

Related plants

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — is a robust evergreen shrub with sprawling branches often reaching 10-15 feet in height and width

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus

Elaeagnus Pungens

Full · Zones 4–9

Goumi (Elaeagnus Multiflora) — The Goumi, Elaeagnus multiflora, is a resilient deciduous shrub reaching 6-10 feet in height and spread

Goumi

Elaeagnus Multiflora

Full · Zones 4–9

Ebbinge's Silverberry (Elaeagnus X Ebbingei) — commonly called Ebbinge's Silverberry

Ebbinge's Silverberry

Elaeagnus X Ebbingei

Full · Zones 7–10

Gilt Edge Silverberry (Elaeagnus X Ebbingei 'Gilt Edge') — The Gilt Edge Silverberry is an ornamental shrub that grows 8-10 ft

Gilt Edge Silverberry

Elaeagnus X Ebbingei 'Gilt Edge'

Full · Zones 7–10

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) — The Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is a hardy, deciduous shrub, growing 6-18 ft

Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae Rhamnoides

Full · Zones 3–8