Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Elaeagnus x submacrophylla 'Gilt Edge'
Gilt Edge Oleaster
- Family
- Elaeagnaceae
- Height
- 6 to 10 feet
- Width
- 6 to 10 feet
- Flower color
- Small, silvery white, and highly fragrant
- Foliage color
- Green with bright yellow margins
- Bloom time
- Fall
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Low to moderate
- Maintenance
- Low; can be pruned to shape in late winter
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 7 to 9
- Wildlife
- Bees and other pollinators
About this plant
Elaeagnus x submacrophylla 'Gilt Edge' is a hardy, evergreen shrub celebrated for its eye-catching foliage and seasonal fragrance. The leaves are leathery and dark green with bright golden-yellow margins, creating a vibrant, year-round display. In autumn, small, inconspicuous silvery flowers appear, releasing a sweet, honey-like fragrance that fills the garden and attracts pollinators.
A hybrid cultivar, 'Gilt Edge' was developed for its combination of ornamental appeal and resilience. Its variegated foliage adds brightness to mixed borders, hedges, or foundation plantings, while its tolerance for challenging conditions makes it an adaptable choice for coastal or urban gardens. This versatile shrub provides both visual interest and sensory enjoyment, enhancing landscapes across multiple seasons.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Hedging & Privacy · Coastal Gardens · Fragrant Gardens
Companion plants
Catmint · Feather reed grass · Salvias · Coneflowers · Lavenders · Sedums
Design tip
Bright golden leaf margins can turn this substantial evergreen into an effective year-round backdrop. Its tolerance of coastal conditions makes the foliage especially useful for bringing warm color to wind-exposed plantings, while inconspicuous autumn flowers contribute an unexpected honey-like fragrance.
Where to see it
This plant can be seen at the Bellevue Botanical Garden.
