Elaeagnus × ebbingei 'Vivileg' (Oleaster) – Bold Evergreen Screening with Year-Round Appeal
Elaeagnus × ebbingei 'Vivileg' is a vigorous, evergreen shrub prized for its striking foliage and outstanding versatility in the garden. Its large, leathery leaves are a rich, glossy green on the upper surface with a distinctive silvery-white reverse, creating a shimmering, two-tone effect as the foliage catches the breeze. This cultivar is particularly valued for its robust, upright habit, making it an excellent choice for hedging, screening, windbreaks, and structural planting throughout the year.
In autumn, small but intensely fragrant, creamy-white flowers emerge inconspicuously among the foliage, filling the surrounding air with a sweet, honeyed scent that belies their modest size. Small, silvery-red fruits may follow, adding further seasonal interest. Exceptionally tough and adaptable, 'Vivileg' thrives in coastal gardens, exposed sites, and urban environments alike, tolerating salt-laden winds, pollution, and periods of drought once established.
For a layered planting scheme, combine with other robust evergreens such as Griselinia littoralis or Pittosporum tenuifolium, or underplant with ground-covering perennials like Vinca minor, Pachysandra terminalis, or ornamental grasses for contrast at lower levels.
Key Features
Foliage: Large, glossy dark green leaves with a silvery-white underside for year-round interest
Flowers: Small, heavily scented creamy-white flowers in autumn
Growth Habit: Vigorous, dense, and upright — ideal for hedging and screening
Evergreen: Retains its foliage throughout the year for continuous privacy and structure
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract pollinators; fruits provide autumn food for birds
Ideal For
Formal and informal hedging and screening
Coastal, exposed, or windy garden sites
Urban and pollution-prone environments
Low-maintenance, wildlife-friendly planting schemes
Structural backbone planting in mixed borders
Growing Conditions
Position: Full sun to partial shade; tolerates exposed and coastal sites
Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates poor, dry, or sandy soils once established
Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout most UK regions
Drought Tolerance: Good drought tolerance once established, making it suitable for drier gardens
Care
Pruning: Trim lightly in late spring or early summer to maintain shape and encourage dense growth; avoid cutting back hard into old wood
Feeding: Apply a balanced general fertiliser in spring to support vigorous growth
Watering: Water regularly during the first growing season to establish; once settled, requires minimal irrigation
Maintenance: Very low maintenance overall; remove any reverted plain green shoots promptly if they appear
Elaeagnus × ebbingei 'Vivileg' is a hardworking, handsome evergreen that delivers structure, scent, and resilience in equal measure — a reliable choice for gardeners seeking year-round impact with minimal effort.
