Log in Start trial

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus

Elaeagnus Pungens

Design with this plant

Overview

Elaeagnus pungens, or Silverthorn, is a robust evergreen shrub with sprawling branches often reaching 10-15 feet in height and width. Its dense foliage comprises variegated leaves with silvery scales and occasional thorns. In the fall, inconspicuous yet fragrant white blooms appear, followed by small reddish fruits. Adaptable to various soil types, Silverthorn prefers full sun to partial shade and offers excellent coverage for hedges and privacy screens.

Sun Full, Half, ShadeWater Low, Very LowZones 4–9Type Shrub

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — shrub for full or half or shade

Culture

Sun: Full, Half, Shade
Water: Low, Very Low
USDA zones: 4–9

Shape & size

Classification

Type: Shrub
Family: Elaeagnaceae

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

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (66)

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — Silverthorn prefers full sun to partial shade and offers excellent coverage for hedges and privacy screens

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — is a robust evergreen shrub with sprawling branches often reaching 10-15 feet in height and, image 25

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — Silverthorn prefers full sun to partial shade and offers excellent coverage for hedges and, image 29

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — making it a low-maintenance choice for both formal and informal landscapes; shrub for full or half or shade

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — Its dense foliage comprises variegated leaves with silvery scales and occasional thorns; the plant exhibits

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — reflecting sunlight and adding a textured aesthetic; hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9, it can withstand

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — requiring regular pruning to maintain its shape and prevent unwanted spreading; though it can soar even

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — In the fall, inconspicuous yet fragrant white blooms appear, followed by small reddish fruits; consider its

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — scientifically known as Elaeagnus pungens; ranging from white to cream

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — white flowers in the garden; is an evergreen shrub known for its vigor and resilience

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — Adaptable to various soil types

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — Hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9, it can withstand temperatures down to 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — consider its potential invasiveness in some regions; in the fall, inconspicuous yet fragrant white blooms

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — The plant exhibits a rounded growth habit with stems bristling with short

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — When designing with Elaeagnus pungens

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — is an evergreen shrub known for its vigor and resilience; white flowers in the garden

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — reflecting sunlight and adding a textured aesthetic

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — This robust plant requires minimal irrigation once established; when designing with Elaeagnus pungens

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — shrub with white blooms

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — Inconspicuous yet fragrant flowers appear in the fall; shrub with white blooms

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — consider its potential invasiveness in some regions

Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus Pungens) — is an evergreen shrub known for its vigor and resilience

Elaeagnus Pungens

Elaeagnus Pungens

Photographs by 15 contributors

Sdicke, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
James H. Miller, CC BY 3.0 us · source
Lazaregagnidze, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
ShriniwasGajare, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Matt Lavin, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
えだ2, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Gufo46, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
VoDeTan2 Dericks-Tan, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, CC BY 3.0 us · source
Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us · source
Paul F. Kisak, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
harum.koh from Kobe city, Japan, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source

Related plants

Ebbinge's Silverberry (Elaeagnus X Ebbingei) — broadleaf evergreen / shrub for full or half

Broadleaf Evergreen

Ebbinge's Silverberry

Elaeagnus X Ebbingei

FullUSDA 7–10

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

Broadleaf Evergreen

Gilt Edge Silverberry

Elaeagnus X Ebbingei 'Gilt Edge'

FullUSDA 7–10

Goumi (Elaeagnus Multiflora) — Drought-tolerant once established; the Goumi, Elaeagnus multiflora, is a resilient deciduous shrub reaching 6-10 feet in height

Shrub

Goumi

Elaeagnus Multiflora

Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) — but it should be placed with consideration due to its potential invasiveness in some regions; regular pruning may be

Shrub

Russian Olive

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae Rhamnoides) — silvery-green leaves that reach up to 3 inches in length; green and yellow flowers in the garden

Shrub

Sea Buckthorn

Hippophae Rhamnoides

Adam's Needle (Yucca Filamentosa) — When incorporating this plant into your client's garden, image 50

Shrub

Adam's Needle

Yucca Filamentosa

FullUSDA 10–10