Autumn Olive - Elaeagnus umbellata - €18 per plant 

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 [email protected]. 

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 April - May, 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 [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project