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ELAEAGNUS 'Quicksilver'

Image of Elaeagnus 'Quicksilver'

James Burghardt

Family

Elaeagnaceae

Botanical Name

ELAEAGNUS 'Quicksilver'

Plant Common Name

Elaeagnus

Special Notice

This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.

General Description

A pleasant upright-shaped shrub with gently arching branches, the Quicksilver silverberry glistens with silvery gray-green foliage and red fruits. A hybrid originating in England as a chance seedling, 'Quicksilver' is a fast-growing deciduous shrub.

The thin branches have thorns. At first, the branches are held upright, but as they lengthen and carry more weight they begin to arch. In early spring, the oval leaves emerge with a whitish silver hue. They mature to silvery gray-green. In late spring or early summer, loads of tiny, vanilla-scented, ivory to pale yellow flowers line the branches under the leaves. Thousands of berries, initially silvery-green, develop later. By the start of fall, these fruits ripen to bright red. After the foliage drops away, the fruits persist into early winter, attracting birds for a tasty treat.

Grow 'Quicksilver' is full to partial sun in any soil that doesn't flood. Nitrogen-fixing nodes on the shrub's roots allow it to succeed in poor soils. Use it as a windbreak or screen in a landscape, or as a solitary specimen in a mixed border. The reflective silvery foliage is more ornamental if the shrub is planted in front of a dark background, such as a row of evergreens.

Monitor the landscape for any seedlings from the Quicksilver silverberry shrub. Birds scatter the seeds as they consume the fruits. Pull up any seedlings to prevent any weediness in the garden as well as along the periphery of the property.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    8 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    5 - 9

  • Sunset Zone

    2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    8'-12' / 2.4m - 3.7m

  • Width

    8'-15' / 2.4m - 4.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Fruit Color

    Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    White, Light Green, Gray

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Light Green, Gray Green, Silver

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Light Green, Gray Green, Silver

  • Bark Color

    Sandy Brown, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Feature Plant, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    Sometimes

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes