Autumn olive / Elaeagnus umbellata
Autumn olive / Elaeagnus umbellata
Elaeagnus umbellata
📋Quick Facts
Height
4.0-5.5m
Spread
4.0-5.5m
Growth
🚀 Fast
Grows quickly, needs regular attention
Care Level
👍 Moderate
Some experience helpful
Water
💧💧 Average watering
Every "7-10" days
Hardiness
Zone 4-9
Cropping Timeline
Autumn olive is vigorous and starts fruiting within three years, sometimes sooner. The small speckled berries are tart-sweet and very high in lycopene. It fixes its own nitrogen so thrives in poor soil without feeding. Be aware this species is considered invasive in parts of North America, so check local regulations before planting. You will get better crops with two plants for cross-pollination, though some cultivars set fruit alone.
About
Nitrogen-fixing shrub-tree with edible tart red berries.
Pest Resilience
Very few pest issues; nitrogen-fixing and naturally robust.
Visual Characteristics
Fruits
Harvest: Autumn / fall
Culinary
Jams, sauces, fruit leather, juicing, dried as seasoning
The autumn olive / elaeagnus umbellata year in your garden
How to Propagate
This plant produces viable seeds for propagation
Hardiness Zones
USDA 5 equivalent