Uncommon for oleaster leaves coloring – yellow along the nerve, green on the leaf edges and grey on the bottom side. The leaves are glossy and stiff.
Young leaves are green all over, the differentiation in coloring appears later on.
On the bottom side the leaves are slightly silverish.
The shrub do not lose its leaves in the winter, its evergreen.
The silhouette of the shrub is compact, the foliage is very thick. Quite fast growth.
Oleaster leaves are stunningly similar to those of olive tree, apart from the coloring.
Leaves are lancet-shaped with sharp tips, 5-10 cm long and quickly growing.
Impressive quality – leaves colored in two shades with green edges and yellow inside (opposite to the Gilt Edge cultivar).
More compact silhouette and thicker foliage than in the original species. It grows up to 2 m in height and 2 m in width.
It blossom in the fall, with white flowers of lovely scent. Edible red fruit.
Oleaster is not related to olive (Olea europea) – oleaster belongs to the oleaster family (Elaeagnaceae) and olive to Oleaceae. They are similar only in the foliage – typical for the Mediterranean.
The Ebbinge oleaster is a crossbreed between Elaeagnus macrophylla and E. pungens.
The plant is suitable, similarly to boxwood, for evergreen hedges.
It is planted in rows with 120 cm intervals.
It’s necessary to clip the plant often in order to correct its shape.
For good growth it is recommended to fertilize with topdressing and water during draught.
The most natural spots for oleaster are warm with sandy, permeable soil.
The plant tolerates shade but it compromises growth and blossoming as compared to sunny spots. Oleaster must be sheltered from freezing wind.
Oleaster is resistant to soil salinity and draught. It is also resistant to freezing weather in most parts of Poland. It is not optimal to be planted along busy roads though – oleaster’s leaves are sensitive to air pollution.
