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photo of Dr. Tom Ranney

Meet the Breeder

Dr. Tom Ranney
North Carolina, USA

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MR. SMOOTH™ SEEDLESS

Thornless silverthorn

Elaeagnus x

'NCEX1'

PPAF

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Mutiple Mr. Smooth Seedless silverthorn bushes with silvery foliage hanging down in a landscape. "} Mr. Smooth Seedless silverthorn foliage with a green color and alternating leaf arrangement. Compact thornless Mr. Smooth Seedless silverthorn with light green foliage in a landscape.
  • Thornless + Non-invasive
  • Durable
  • Fragrant Flowers
Description

Mr. Smooth Seedless silverthorn (Elaeagnus × ebbingei) may just be the perfect landscape shrub. This selection from Dr. Tom Ranney and NCSU has no nasty thorns and is seedless, resolving the invasiveness issue so often associated with Eleagnus in general. As such, its appealing silvery foliage and fragrant white flowers, its durability and adaptability to landscape challenges like drought, heat, salt, pollution, and deer, and its aesthetic adaptability, can be enjoyed in good conscience. Dense, compact habit can be allowed to grow naturally or pruned for hedges and topiary.

USDA Zone
6 - 9 (-10°F/-23.3°C)
Exposure
Full sun, Part sun
Height
4-6'
Width
4-6'
Finish Time
1 season
Type
Evergreen
Bloom Time
Fall
Flower Color
White
Foliage Color
Green
Liner Sizes
2 1/4", 4", Quick Turn

Soil

Any well-drained soil will do.

Pruning

Prune to shape as needed, if desired. Flowers in early autumn.

Uses

Hedges, screening, specimen, topiary

Growing Tips

The species is grown for its extreme durability and needs no special care. Can be pruned to shape as desired; if maintaining fall flowers is a priority, do not prune after mid-spring.

Features: Evergreen, New, Non-invasive, Fragrant, Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Compact, Cut flower, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Foliage interest, Heat tolerant, Salt tolerant, Winter interest

Filters: Botanical genus: Elaeagnus, Common name: Thornless silverthorn , Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Fall, White flowers, Green foliage

Features: Evergreen, New, Non-invasive, Fragrant, Alkaline soil, Clay soil, Compact, Cut flower, Deer resistant, Disease resistant, Drought tolerant, Foliage interest, Heat tolerant, Salt tolerant, Winter interest

Filters: Botanical genus: Elaeagnus, Common name: Thornless silverthorn , Retail program: Proven Winners® ColorChoice®, USDA Zone 6, USDA Zone 7, USDA Zone 8, USDA Zone 9, Exposure: Full sun, Exposure: Part sun, Bloom time: Fall, White flowers, Green foliage