Elaeagnus sp. (Oleaster)

Elaeagnus is a diverse genus of shrubs and small trees known for their silvery foliage, drought tolerance, and strong adaptability in temperate and subtropical regions.

These species serve as ornamental, hedging, and screening plants, valued for their hardiness, rapid growth, and ability to thrive even in poor soils.

What makes Elaeagnus distinctive?

Elaeagnus includes resilient shrubs and small trees with leaves coated in fine silvery scales that create a soft metallic sheen. Many species produce fragrant tubular flowers followed by fleshy fruits that ripen in red, orange, or brown tones, often marked with characteristic speckling. The genus tolerates full sun, wind, salt exposure, and nutrient-poor soils, supported by nitrogen-fixing root associations that enhance vigor in challenging conditions. Across the genus, forms range from dense hedging shrubs to broad, arching landscape plants, all contributing durable structure to warm temperate and frost-free subtropical gardens. One species native to the Philippines is widely known by the common name Lingaro or Philippine Elaeagnus, and is appreciated for its suitability for bonsai cultivation due to its small leaves, flexible branching, and compact growth pattern.