Elaeagnus pungens – Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus, or Thorny Olive
I can’t tell you how many calls we get each year from customers asking for Elaeagnus—also known as Silverthorn, Thorny Elaeagnus, or Thorny Olive. You see it everywhere—behind subdivisions as a barrier, along interstate embankments, and in all kinds of landscapes where, for whatever reason, it keeps getting planted.
At first glance, it looks like the perfect plant. It’s one of those copycat shrubs people gravitate toward—tough, full, evergreen… everything you think you want.
But there’s a whole lot more to this plant than meets the eye.
What It Is
Elaeagnus pungens is an evergreen shrub originally from Asia that was introduced into the United States as an ornamental plant. It gained popularity because it checks all the boxes gardeners often want—fast-growing, drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and nearly impossible to kill.
It has silvery foliage, fragrant fall blooms, and red berries that birds love. On paper, it sounds like the perfect low-maintenance shrub.
But what looks like a “perfect plant” in a catalog is often a nightmare in the landscape—and an ecological problem in the wild.
The Real Problem: It’s Invasive
Elaeagnus pungens isn’t just aggressive—it’s officially recognized as an invasive species throughout the Southeast, including right here in Georgia.
It’s considered a serious threat and is classified as a Category II exotic plant, meaning it has the ability to spread and push out native plants over time. The Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council includes Elaeagnus among the state’s most problematic invasive species, even listing it among the top 10 exotic pest plants to watch.
Once planted, it doesn’t stay where you put it.
- Birds spread the seeds far beyond your property
- It resprouts aggressively from stems and roots
- It thrives in sun, shade, poor soil, drought, and coastal conditions
- It spreads into forests, fence lines, and natural areas
This is not a plant you “manage.” This is a plant you end up fighting.
It Smothers Everything Around It
One of the worst traits of Elaeagnus pungens is how it grows.
It doesn’t just sit politely as a shrub—it:
- Sends long, arching shoots in every direction
- Hooks onto surrounding plants with thorny stems
- Climbs into trees and over shrubs
- Forms dense, impenetrable thickets
Over time, it literally chokes out native vegetation and desirable plants, blocking sunlight and taking over entire areas.
We’ve seen it happen.
Once it gets established, it doesn’t share space—it takes it.
It Damages the Ecosystem
This isn’t just about one plant being annoying in a yard.
When Elaeagnus spreads, it:
- Displaces native plants that support pollinators and wildlife
- Alters natural plant communities
- Reduces biodiversity in forests and natural areas
- Creates monocultures where little else can grow
Even though birds eat the berries, that doesn’t make it beneficial—it actually helps the plant spread faster.
It’s Almost Impossible to Get Rid Of
This is the part most people don’t realize until it’s too late.
Elaeagnus pungens:
- Resprouts after cutting
- Spreads from roots and stems
- Requires repeated control efforts (often chemical)
- Can persist for years once established
Planting it is easy.
Removing it is not.
Why We Don’t Carry It at Blackcreek Nursery
At Blackcreek Nursery, we don’t just sell plants—we help people build landscapes that last.
We do not carry Elaeagnus because:
- It is invasive in our region
- It escapes cultivation and harms natural areas
- It outcompetes native and beneficial plants
- It creates long-term problems for homeowners
There are too many good plants out there to justify selling one with this much baggage.
What to Plant Instead
If you’re looking for non-invasive options for evergreen structure, screening, or something tough—we can point you to better options that won’t take over your land or your neighbor’s.
- Viburnum Odoratissum ‘Sweet Viburnum’
- Osmanthus Fragrans ‘Tea Olive’
- Camellia Sasanqua
- Green Giant Thuja
Final Thought
At Blackcreek Nursery, we choose plants that respect the land, support the environment, and give you something you can enjoy for years—not something you’ll regret planting.
For more information about invasive plants for Georgia, check out these resources.
Georgia Native Plant Society GNPS
Georgia Invasives – Georgia Invasives
