Elaeagnus x ebbingei 'LEMON ICE'

Evergreen silverthorn is a hybrid of e.macrophylla and e.pungens. Thanks to the foliage of the species it is sometimes called Russian olive which is not correct as this name is already used for its deciduous sister elaeagnus angustifolia. And to go on with correctness, the name elaeagnus x ebbingei is now regarded illegitimate. Reason given that the previously published name elaeagnus x submacrophylla from 1909 has priority. That is a bit of a puzzle because the hybrid itself was first discovered 20 years after the publication – in 1929. How can anyone name a plant that has not been discovered yet? So, with all respect to the botanists, for the time being we stick to e. x ebbingei.

If you are fond of variegated cultivars of evergreen silverthorns, e.g., Limelight, there is an improved version of it called Lemon Ice. It has slightly broader leaves and a more upright growth and bushier, more compact habit. The leaves have dark green margins and a light to medium deep yellow interior that can take up to 80% of the leaf surface. They are evergreen, leathery, glossy, and rather flat (not undulate). Young leaves emerge pale beige and exhibit tiny dots as if sprinkled with stardust. They are fully coloured withing approximately 4-6 weeks. Like most variegated plants, Lemon Ice silverthorn, too, occasionally produces reversed branches with green leaves. Those are more vigorous and need to be removed as soon as spotted as they might suffocate and overgrow the coloured part of the plant. The orange-brown color of the twigs is more pronounced with the arrival of cool autumn weather.

Silverthorns are valued not only for their colourful leaves and fast growth, but they also offer flowering in autumn. The flowers are small and inconspicuous, but their fragrance is from heaven. On warm and sunny autumn days, it releases a very pleasant and sweet scent, something between carnation, lilac and jasmine, in the area of a few meters around it. If the winter is mild, small, edible fruits ripen during May. They are deep red, approx. 1.5 cm long ovals with a stone. The taste is reminiscent of sour cherries but sweeter, and they are best when they start to fall off shrub – then they are fully mature.

Silverthorns are nice specimen shrubs as well as great hedging plants. Suitably combined with other shrubs with contrasting foliage colour they do a great job. Mix them together with photinias, laurels, large- and small-leaved hollies, or hardy eucalyptus. Together, they will create a unique, evergreen, and attractive hedge that will look great throughout the year.

Lemon Ice silverthorn grows quickly, 30-50 cm per year, and can be pruned in any way and anytime from spring to autumn. It is not demanding when it comes to soil fertility or pH. It just needs free-draining soil (no clay or heavy, compacted ground), and a good layer of mulch for the winter to prevent the ground from freezing too quickly. In regions with stronger frosts, we recommend growing it in winter shade. Still, even after severe winters, it readily regenerated from undamaged wood. It is hardy to min. -23 °C (USDA zone 6). Slightly lower temperatures can only kill its foliage but its woody framework usually remains unharmed. During frost-free periods of winter watering is recommended on too dry sites, especially of recently planted shrubs.

Last update 09-09-2022