North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Richard Moyer" <ramoyer@gmail.com>]

Michele wrote:  Does anyone grow Elaeagnus pungens for its fruit?  Are there any cultivars
you are growing in zone 6?

It is invasive in parts of the south, but I wonder if it is hardy enough to
grow in zone 6, and if it is invasive in the northernmost parts of its
range?

 

My reply: We gather it here in Zone 6 East TN, in March or April after a mild winter so earliest bush fruit by far, only temperate bush I know of that blooms in fall, holds fruit through winter and ripens in early spring.  Others out there??

E. pungens bloom scent in fall is incredibly dense and spicy, hence the species name.  Works well as a hedge or as freestanding plants.  Have had a small one in our woods for years that has survived -14F with snow cover and around zero multiple times without snow cover, plus -5 and -8.

 

Don't know of any cultivars for fruit, though would check our Dirr's Manual of Woody Landscape Plants, ForestFarm or Woodlanders for ornamental selections with larger fruit.

 

Agreed that it can be seriously invasive farther south; have seen it take over trees along the Savannah River near Augusta, GA.  Have not seen that habit here, though it will throw up spindly new growth to try and climb. 
 

Have seen it around older homes, parks, cemeteries, etc, so worth looking for in your area.

Richard Moyer, East TN

Blueberries w/ the rest of cheesecake tonight.