Oleaster is a species-rich plant genus from the oleaster family. Most species grow like a bush, but some breeds of the wintergreen oleaster are also commercially available as a standard.
The Elaeagnus angustifolia can grow to be several meters tall
The oleaginous willow genus (Elaeagnus) includes over 40 species that belong to the oleaginous willow family (Elaeagnaceae). The robust trees grow as shrubs, rarely as trees, and are mainly native to Asia, but also to southern Europe and America.
species overview
Among oleasters there are both deciduous and evergreen shrubs, which also differ in their foliage color and flowering time and have different growth heights, frost hardness, salt tolerance and location requirements. Some species bear edible fruits, others bear thorns.
- Elaeagnus angustifolia - Narrow-leaved oleaster (large shrub or small tree with thorny branches, spreading, resistant to drought; grey-green leaves, silvery scales underneath; flowering period in June/July)
- Elaeagnus multiflora - edible oleaster (hardy, robust, unreinforced shrub of approx. 2-8 m in height; leaves dull green, silvery brown scales underneath; flowering period in April/May; edible dark red-brown fruits, sweet-sour and juicy)
- Elaeagnus ebbingei - Wintergreen oleaster (evergreen shrub, upright growing, up to 2.5 m high; leaves elliptical, shiny dark green on top, scales silvery underneath; flowering time in October/November)
- Elaeagnus umbellata - umbel willow (height approx. 4 m; flowering time in April/May, fruits pea-sized, red; leaves have silvery scales on the upper and lower sides)
- Elaeagnus pungens - thorny oleaster (evergreen, wide-growing shrub, height of growth approx. 2.5 m; thorny twigs; leaves elliptical-elongated, often curled, shiny dark green on top, dull grey-white scales on the underside; flowering period from September to December)
Educate olive willow to trunk
Most available Elaeagnus varieties are offered as shrubs. In principle, these can be raised to a trunk with a crown by means of a targeted cut. To do this, choose a strong, straight shoot of the shrub and pinch it, while the other side branches are removed except for a few thin ones. The side branches are also cut out bit by bit, so that over time a small trunk develops. If that is too time-consuming for you, you can use a selection of the ready-made trees, the so-called "balls on a trunk", which are available in the online shops in the varieties "Limelight", "Maculata" and "Gilt Edge".
tips
Despite good frost resistance, the young bushes of the olive tree need frost protection in severe winters. Frost hardiness increases with age.