Description
Origin
The Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Compacta’ is a variant of Elaeagnus ebbingei, a plant species naturally found in East Asia. The plant is named after Friedrich Ebbinge, who discovered the plant during his expeditions in the 19th century. The ‘Compacta’ variant of this plant has been specially cultivated to have a more compact growth pattern, making it very suitable for small gardens or landscapes.
Characteristics
The Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Compacta’ is an evergreen shrub that typically reaches a height of 1.5 to 2 meters. It is distinguished by its shiny dark green leaves, which often take on a silvery color in the fall and winter. In the spring and summer, the plant blooms with small fragrant flowers, followed by small orange-red berries in the fall. Despite its compact growth form, the plant can become quite dense, making it an ideal choice for a privacy hedge.
Care
The Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Compacta’ is an exceptionally hardy and easy-to-maintain plant. It can adapt well to most soil types, as long as they are well-drained. In addition, the plant is quite drought-tolerant, meaning it can also thrive during long periods of low rainfall. Pruning is generally not necessary, except to maintain its shape or to remove dead or damaged wood. Although the plant is quite shade-tolerant, it performs best in full sun to partial shade.
