Oleaster (Elaeagnus x ebbingei) - pollinators, and growing tips for berries

[Russel Sprout]

Hi all

We have a row of Oleaster (Elaeagnus x ebbingei) at the front of our garden which we planted last year. We chose it to give us some privacy from the road, but also because the berries of this hedge are apparently edible. However, we have since read that to get fruit it needs to have a different variety close by for pollination.

I wondered if anyone knows which varieties would be a most suitable pollinator?

Also, has anyone here who has grown this for the berries got any other tips? We fed and looked after the hedge well after planting, but have since learnt that they fruit better when not fed and not looked after! (Sounds ideal!)

Any thoughts, stories, or words of wisdom would be most welcomed.

Many thanks

Max

[chrisdb]

I personally have found ebbingei quite shy to flower. I've only ever seen one in flower once before despite having one on or off for years, and no fruit was produced on that one occasion.

Elaeagnus multiflora and umbellata are, I think, much easier. I have a multiflora in my garden, and even without a partner it sets some fruit, so it's partially self fertile. The berries are quite attractive and have a tart rhubarb-y flavour.

[DannyK]

I have a four year old umbellata, which flowers sparsly with no scent and no berries.

[chrisdb]

I have a four year old umbellata, which flowers sparsly with no scent and no berries.

Interesting. I thought they were similar apart from umbellata being a bigger plant. Multiflora does flower a lot and with a definite scent, although not all the flowers produce berries with only one.