Elaeagnus angustifolia ‘Quicksilver’

Elaeagnus angustifolia ‘Quicksilver’ is one of my favourite trees, evoking memories of gardening in Spain. I had no name for this multi-stemmed bush that was standing 3m tall and 2m across and was covered with masses of slender grey leaves covered in silvery scales. My elderly neighbour told me this was called a ‘Paraiso’ tree. The following spring it was smothered in little yellow, star shaped tubular flowers that emerged from tiny, pointed silver buds and the garden was filled with the most delicious scent, and I understood why Isobel called it a ‘Paradise’ tree. It was originally native to southwest Asia and parts of Eastern Europe, while records indicate that it has been grown in England since 1633.

It can be grown as a large, deciduous, suckering shrub but can equally be pruned into a single trunked small tree that could reach 4m in both height and width over 20 years. It tolerates hard pruning and can develop woody thorns. Elaeagnus angustifolia ‘Quicksilver’ flowers on the previous year’s wood, so if it does need pruning, the best time is just after flowering. It grows happily in most gardens, in any well drained soil in full sun. But is best protected from the cold, drying northerly and easterly winds. It thrives by the coast, where it is salt and wind resistant.

In the late summer or autumn, it will develop small oval berries.  They seldom ripen in the UK but have been used in Asia, along with the flowers, leaves and bark, for both medicinal and culinary purposes.