Elaeagnus x ebbingei

A hardy, fast-growing evergreen shrub with silvery foliage that brings a luminous quality to the garden. In autumn it produces small, highly fragrant flowers, followed by orange-red berries in spring.

Elaeagnus x ebbingei is one of the toughest evergreen hedging plants for the Mediterranean climate, with leathery silver-backed leaves that flash in the wind and small ivory tubular flowers in late autumn — October to December — releasing a powerful sweet jasmine-like fragrance that can scent an entire garden on still days. Small reddish edible berries follow in spring on mature plants. Fast-growing, evergreen, hardy to -15°C, the shrub tolerates drought, coastal salt spray, poor soils, atmospheric pollution and heavy pruning; it is one of the most reliable wind-screening plants for exposed Mediterranean sites and fixes nitrogen through root associations, improving poor soils over time.

Elaeagnus reaches 3–4 m tall and wide if left unpruned but is most commonly used as a clipped hedge at 1.5–2.5 m. Plant 60–80 cm apart in rows for a fast, dense, year-round screen along property boundaries, against road noise or to filter sea winds. The silver-backed leaves shimmer beautifully against the dark glossy leaves of Laurus nobilis, the bronze of Pittosporum tobira 'Variegatum' and the dark vertical lines of Cupressus sempervirens. Variegated cultivars such as 'Limelight' and 'Gilt Edge' add brightness to shaded boundaries. For an informal hedge, allow the natural arching habit to remain and enjoy the autumn fragrance — site near pathways and seating where the scent will be appreciated.