{"product_id":"elaeagnus-pungens","title":"Thorny Olive - Elaeagnus pungens","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrice includes everything:\u003c\/strong\u003e the plant, free delivery and professional installation by our planting team. One price, whole job done.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThorny Olive - Elaeagnus pungens\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a plant chosen for conditions rather than for looks. \u003cem\u003eElaeagnus pungens\u003c\/em\u003e grows dense and spiny in sand, salt wind, poor soil and drought, which is why it turns up on exposed coastal boundaries where nothing else will hold a line. The leaves are leathery and dark on the upper surface with a silver and rust speckled underside that flashes as the wind moves through the bush.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eWhy Thorny Olive\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSalt and Wind\u003c\/strong\u003e: It is one of the more reliable evergreen hedge plants for front line coastal exposure.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpiny Barrier\u003c\/strong\u003e: Short stiff spines along the branches make a mature hedge genuinely difficult to push through.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAutumn Scent\u003c\/strong\u003e: Small cream flowers open in autumn and are easily missed by eye but carry a strong sweet fragrance on still evenings.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought Hardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e: Once rooted it survives long dry periods on sandy soil with no supplementary water.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShear Tolerance\u003c\/strong\u003e: It accepts hard cutting back into old wood, though it throws vigorous straight shoots that need trimming to keep a formal face.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eIdeal Applications\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal windbreak\u003c\/strong\u003e: Planted as a first line it filters salt wind and shelters more sensitive plants behind it.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSecurity hedge\u003c\/strong\u003e: The spines and density make it effective along a vulnerable boundary.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInformal screen on poor soil\u003c\/strong\u003e: It establishes on sand and rubble fill where richer soil is not available.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClipped hedge and topiary\u003c\/strong\u003e: Regular shearing produces a tight formal surface with the silver leaf reverse adding texture.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003eSpecimen \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (screening\/hedge):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 to 1.5m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing (feature\/avenue):\u003c\/strong\u003e 2.5 to 3m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBest Planting Season:\u003c\/strong\u003e Autumn or spring\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Almost any drained soil including coastal sand and light clay; it tolerates alkalinity and salt but will not sit in water\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment Care:\u003c\/strong\u003e A deep soak every fortnight through the first summer is enough, and after that it largely looks after itself. Tip prune twice in each of the first two years to force branching low down so the hedge does not open at the base.\n\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch4\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 4m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 to 4m\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderate to fast\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNative to:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan and China\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlower Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cream, small and strongly fragrant\n\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Direct","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":59795294683422,"sku":"ND-0656-400MM","price":800.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1000\/2536\/8862\/files\/LmaclM0A7mEVhwzfDSya_xA2PDyFu.jpg?v=1787313024","url":"https:\/\/nurserydirect.com.au\/products\/elaeagnus-pungens","provider":"Nursery Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}