ELAEAGNUS x ebbingei 'Viveleg'

Description: Common name: Oleaster. This new and distinct highly ornamental Elaeagnus is a tough and hardy evergreen shrub with attractive leathery variegated leaves. The foliage of this new cultivar is noted as different because it has solid green coloration with irregularly margins of yellow (i.e. rather than mixed variegation) The insignificant flowers in late summer are small but beautifully scented

Uses: Clipped in an umbrella topiary shape, trim in summer to keep its form

Climate/Position: Sun or partial shade. Tolerant of salt spray so good for coastal planting

Height/Spread: Trim annually with topiary shears or hedge-cutters in early or late summer to keep specimen in shape

Soil Requirements: Will do well in most soils. Fertiliser such as Growmore can be applied once a year in the spring if desired, to help maintain the plant's vigour and appearance

Pruning: If trimming required then prune after frosts in spring

Special Requirements: Tolerant of salt spray - foliage protected by gritty deposit with prevents damage. Suckers and unwanted branches can also be removed from the stems. Topiary can suffer from Pests & Diseases. Look out for any tell-tale signs such as damaged leaves, adult moths, caterpillars, sooty mould etc., and treat appropriately

Additional Interest: Believed to have originated in Holland this new Elaeagnus plant was discovered in a plant nursery at Toulouse, France, while growing among common Elaeagnus x ebbingei plants. It was then introduced to cultivation by Christian Vivies in 1997