What soil does Ebbing's silverberry grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Ebbing's silverberry hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Carinthia, Salzburg, Tyrol) it may not survive winter without protection.

Is Ebbing's silverberry toxic to dogs?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to dogs.

Is Ebbing's silverberry toxic to cats?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to cats.

Is Ebbing's silverberry toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Ebbing's silverberry be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Ebbing's silverberry be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 60 cm between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

When does Ebbing's silverberry flower?

Flowering: September–November, white.

How much water does Ebbing's silverberry need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Ebbing's silverberry cost?

It sells for roughly €16 to €200 in local shops, depending on size.

Ebbing's silverberry

Elaeagnus × ebbingei

Ebbing's silverberry (Elaeagnus × ebbingei) is a hedge plant. Light: full sun, part shade, shade. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Non-toxic to dogs, cats and children. Sold in local shops from about €16.

Illustration of Ebbing's silverberry — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A vigorous, dense evergreen shrub with leathery leaves that are glossy dark green above and silvery beneath, bearing tiny, barely visible but strongly scented flowers in autumn. It tolerates drought, wind, salt and poor, limy soil well and clips into a solid hedge. Give it a sheltered, warm position, because in a hard winter the foliage scorches or drops, and it will not stand waterlogged ground.

Watch out for

In Central Europe its hardiness is borderline: below roughly minus 15 to minus 18 °C, especially in windy spots exposed to winter sun, the foliage scorches or drops and shoots of young plants may die back. In cold areas it is worth wrapping it for the first few years and mulching the base. Whole branches sometimes die suddenly for no visible reason and should be cut back to healthy wood. Less often the elaeagnus sucker distorts the leaves, and leaf spot or coral spot can appear.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 2.5 m
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D September–November, white

Group	Hedge
Light	Full sun, Part shade, Shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 2.5 m
Ultimate size	2.4–4 m × 2.4–4 m
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	September–November, white
Harvest	April–May
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	60 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic
For cats	Non-toxic
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €16

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
30-60 cm	approx. €23
60-100 cm	approx. €36
100-150 cm	approx. €110
150-200 cm	approx. €160
size not stated	approx. €17 – €46

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants for shade Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Plants that are non-toxic to dogs Plants that are non-toxic to cats Plants that are non-toxic to children Hedge plants Evergreen hedge plants Plants for screening Evergreen plants Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden Fragrant plants Plants with edible fruit Edible plants for screening

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

Ebbing's silverberry vs Anglo-Japanese yew Ebbing's silverberry vs Arborvitae Ebbing's silverberry vs Cherry laurel Ebbing's silverberry vs Cherry laurel 'Novita' Ebbing's silverberry vs Common yew Ebbing's silverberry vs Japanese spindle Ebbing's silverberry vs Oval-leaved privet Ebbing's silverberry vs Photinia 'Red Robin' Ebbing's silverberry vs Red-tip photinia

Looks good next to it

Judas tree

Cercis siliquastrum

Gaura

Gaura lindheimeri

Japanese wisteria

Wisteria floribunda