A beautiful fall fragrance from the tiniest of blossoms on a shrub described by Dirr as a “genuine horror ….. long shoots wander in disarray from all areas of the plant….. fast, does not adequately describe the speed with which it grows.”
Elaeagnus pungens, often refered to as ‘UGLYAGNUS ‘ emits a fragrance that is incredible, somewhat reminiscent of Gardenia.
The very first time I encountered this plant was with my (then) new friend Tara Dillard, at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The fragrance was so marvelous, notes were immediately made to acquire this shrub; then Tara gave me the lowdown on this ‘weed’.
Years later I discovered the variegated Elaeagnus (Elaeagnus pungens ‘Maculata’ or ‘Aureovariegata’) … smaller, slower growing, I was told, a perfect garden shrub.
Elaeagnus pungens is pefect for the 1,000 + acre estates – – that’s why it is frequently planted at interstate interchanges to cover up those bare banks! But I tell you as a child my aunt had one and my cousin & I would sit under it outside her bedroom window and eat those delicious little orange berries it produced even though they were mostly seeds!
Wonder if one could make a jelly from that fruit? Anyone heard of elaeagnus jelly?
I succumbed… they lied!
Recreating Eden Landscape Blog 
Elaeagnus pungens is pefect for the 1,000 + acre estates – – that’s why it is frequently planted at interstate interchanges to cover up those bare banks! But I tell you as a child my aunt had one and my cousin & I would sit under it outside her bedroom window and eat those delicious little orange berries it produced even though they were mostly seeds!
Wonder if one could make a jelly from that fruit? Anyone heard of elaeagnus jelly?
I had that variegated Eleganus in a previous garden, thanks for reminding me about it I might just have to get another one
My nephew calls it ‘Ellie and Agnes’ — the bane of his garden chores.