Elaeagnus x Vivileg 9 Litre Pot 80-90cm

Oleaster 'Viveleg' – Bold Evergreen Foliage with Year-Round Presence

Elaeagnus × submacrophylla 'Viveleg' is a vigorous, evergreen shrub prized for its exceptionally large, glossy leaves – deep green on the upper surface and strikingly silver-white beneath, creating a shimmering, two-tone effect as the foliage catches the light. This robust cultivar delivers outstanding year-round structure and screening, making it a highly effective and low-maintenance choice for a wide range of garden settings.

Like other members of the Elaeagnus family, 'Viveleg' produces small, inconspicuous but sweetly fragrant flowers in autumn, adding a welcome seasonal surprise. It is exceptionally tolerant of exposed, coastal, and urban conditions, and once established, handles drought and poor soils with ease.

For a striking evergreen combination, pair it with Pittosporum tenuifolium or Griselinia littoralis, or contrast its silver undersides against dark-leaved shrubs such as Prunus laurocerasus. Underplant with low-growing perennials like Geranium or ornamental grasses for a layered, textural display.

Key Features

• Foliage: Large, glossy deep-green leaves with a distinctive silver-white reverse for year-round ornamental interest

• Flowers: Small, heavily fragrant blooms in autumn

• Growth Habit: Vigorous, dense, and bushy – excellent for hedging, screening, or as a bold specimen shrub

• Evergreen: Retains foliage throughout the year for consistent privacy and structure

• Tolerance: Highly resilient to coastal winds, urban pollution, and dry or exposed conditions

Ideal For

• Hedging and boundary screening in exposed or coastal gardens

• Bold specimen planting in borders or as a standalone feature

• Windbreak planting in urban or rural settings

• Low-maintenance, high-impact evergreen schemes

Growing Conditions

• Position: Full sun to partial shade; thrives in open, exposed sites

• Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor, dry, or sandy soils once established

• Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout the UK

Care

Pruning and maintenance: 'Viveleg' requires very little ongoing care once established. Trim to shape in late spring or early summer to encourage dense, bushy growth and maintain a tidy form. Avoid hard pruning in autumn to protect developing flower buds. Remove any reverted plain-green shoots promptly if they appear, cutting back to the main stem. Feed with a balanced general-purpose fertiliser in spring to support vigorous growth.

Elaeagnus × submacrophylla 'Viveleg' is a standout evergreen performer – combining striking large-leaved foliage, superb resilience, and effortless low-maintenance appeal for gardens where year-round structure and impact really matter.