Autumn Olive - Elaeagnus umbellata - €9 per plant  or  €13  - 'Brilliant Rose' cultivar  

The Autumn Olive is  fast growing has Nitrogen Fixing capabilities and when planted with fruit trees is said to increase the overall yield of the orchard by 10% whilst themselves producing a yield of delicious berries.  We have used this plant as an under story shrub on a south facing edge in our forest garden and within an edible hedge. To order this plant or seeds please contact us balkanecologyproject@gmail.com. 

Context

  • native region: E.Asia-China-Japan-Himalayas
  • native habitat: Thickets and thin woods in the lowland and hills 
  • family: Elaeagnaceae

Predators

  • Berries are vulnerable to bird predation 

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: dappled shade or  full sun 
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 - 7
  • Prefers well drained soil 
  • Keep weed free while the plant establishes
  • Tolerant of heavy pruning 
  • Very drought tolerant
  • Wind tolerant   

Overview

  • Deciduous Shrub growing to 4.5m (14ft) by 4m (13ft) at a medium rate. 
  • In flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from Sep to November. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
  • Can fix Nitrogen. 
  • Noted for attracting wildlife. 
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • Cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. 
  • The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Characteristics

  • form: medium sized shrub
  • layer : Shrub Layer
  • habit: multi-stemmed, pioneer specie   
  • height x width (m): 4.5 x 5
  • years to bearing fruit: 6 yrs  
  • productive life span:  30-40 years 

Products 

  • Fruit: Berry; Sep-Nov, tasty raw and good for jams 
  • Yield: 3-5 kgs each summer at maturity
  • Roots: Symbiotic relationship with Nitrogen Fixing Frankia bacteria 
  • Flowers: Nectary, attracting bees 
  • Wood:  Is a good fuel
  • Understory ground cover 
  • Hedging 
  • Wind Break 
  • Good biomass crop on 3yr rotation 

Functions, behaviors

  • animal dispersed seed
  • thorny branches 
  • leafs out in mid spring 
  • drops leaves in early winter
  • easy to propagate from seed 
  • self pollinates
  • Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus
  • Noted for attracting wildlife
  • Species from this genus are widely used in forestry as ecosystem improver

Polyculture Partners - The Biomass Belt 

Picture
If you would like more information about this polyculture click here  for our blog article. 
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If you would like this plant  please send an email to balkanecologyproject@gmail.com with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project