Richard

Today (Wed. 4/23) the 4 plants I ordered from One Green World arrived. They were sent Monday from central Oregon to my home in San Diego CA using USPS Priority Mail. The plants are very carefully packed, with stem supports and the root-balls tightly sealed in 4" x 4" x 6" high pots. Included in the shipment is a plant care guide and a catalog.

This is a fruiting plant, which produces some very yummy and nutritious red berries. I've been trying to obtain the plants for over two years and only recently found a source that would ship them to southern CA.

Here are two photos: one of the plants airing out in my study by a north window and the other of the unusual foliage. Note how the young leaves are a silvery tan, and no green appears until the leaf matures to full size. It is hard to see in the photo, but the young leaves also have a sprinkling of small red freckles!

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mskitty38583

they are so cool! love the leaves.

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Dean W.

Richard,

Congrats, Richard, on your new plants.

Dean

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Richard

Today the 4 potted plants ventured outside to acclimate. Here they receive sun from about 10am to 2pm and shade otherwise. There is also a breeze blowing during the sun-lit period which the plants appreciate. They are sitting in a plastic box to keep direct sun from hitting the pots -- which have an additional coating of compost to further sheild against direct heat. Other fortifications include wire fencing to keep rabbits from sampling the plants, a spraying of spinosad in the area to guard against insect pests, and copious amounts of snail bait (iron phosphate) to keep slugs off the new plants.

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Richard

About the first week of June 2008 I planted the Silverberries in a hedge on the right side of my home. Hopefully I will get bucket loads of tasty berries while blocking the view of my neighbor's driveway.

In the center I'm growing alfalfa and some wildflowers from seed. Next year I'll plow (rototill) that under and plant one of my Black Fig rootings there.

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shredlew

We are located in San Clemente, CA and are wondering how your Elaeagnus' are doing down in San Diego. We are thinking of planting them up here. I believe Monrovia Growers has this plant. Thanks!

Richard

These plants are doing great!

If you are growing for both fruit and foliage, stay away from the variegated hybrids like "Gilt Edge" which reportedly has poor quality fruit. Monrovia does list the plant, so possibly your nursery can order it: Monrovia.com : Learn : Plant Catalog : Plant Detail : EBBINGE'S SILVERBERRY

Of course, they are the only people I've ever seen spell Ebbing with an "E" on the end!

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shredlew

Thank you for the advice. We definitely want it for the berries! We are in the process of planting an edible landscape. The One Green World web site looks pretty good - they seem to have lots of the items I have been researching. How tall were the plants you received - they look about 2 1/2 feet?

Are you very far from the coast? You mention being careful with the heat on the plants.

Richard

The berries are tart until ripe and then sweet-tart. I'm planning on making preserves.

I have received two shipments from One Green World: the silverberries and also Schisandra chinensis "Eastern Prince" - a self-fertile cultivar. The plants are cutting grown and come in 4" x 4" x 6" pots, 2-foot high or so. The plants are healthy and expertly packed. Notice that they don't ship during the summer months.

My location is 8 miles line-of-sight directly east of the ocean and the Del Mar Fairgrounds/Racetrack at about 500 foot elevation. The general slope of the property is north-west and we can see the fairground lights at night.

People have been known to fry these plants out in the heat of the central valley, but you and I don't have this issue.

I'm totally into edible landscaping. Here you will find a link to a map showing what I'm growing and planning to grow, along with plant guides and resources: Plants That Produce

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shredlew

Wonderful information on your web site!

I am just getting started on replanting our yard with edibles. Much of the yard was torn up last year with construction, so it is a great opportunity. I am tired of things just looking "pretty". Any berries we get from the Elaeagnus will get eaten out of hand - no time for making preserves here!

However, we don't have the wonderful amount of space you do! You have tremendous goals for the space. I take it you aren't planning on moving anytime soon?

We are just 1/10 of a mile from the water and only about 100 feet above sea level. Soil is clay, clay, clay. I have just sent off a soil sample to a lab - I want good information before getting started. I know I will amend but I understand that clay is not always as nutrient poor as people assume.

You must have a great compost pile going. I am looking for a compost solution for our yard as we don't have room for a pile and the bins are pricey. I am determined to garden "green."

I will enjoy watching your progress. Thanks again for sharing your site.

mskitty38583

get the biggest planting pot you can find( the big huge ones they have at nurserys) and start your pile that way.

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Richard

Yesterday I took my older daughter out to lunch at the local watering hole, the "Elephant Bar". In the parking lot across from the entrance I spotted two mature bushes of Ebbing's Silverberry! LOL! I searched for two years to find a supplier for this hybrid and all the time these bushes were right nearby with ample material for cuttings!

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shredlew

Oh, I can believe that! Hey, it might even be worth a trip down there to see my mother-in-law for a little trimming. Is that the one in Rancho Bernardo?

Richard

You bet. There is a courtesy lane along the front entry-way. Adjacent to that there is a median separating a small strip of parking. The median is landscaped and there is a short sidewalk crossing it. On both sides of the sidewalk there are some 4 foot high silverberry shrubs.

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arthurb3

I found a nice 3 gallon plant at Lowe's on end of season clearance for $8.

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Richard

I have completely ignored mine (except automatic watering) since planting them in June. They have doubled in size. Very attractive shrub.

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shredlew

I did go by the restaurant about a month ago. I have about 10 cuttings that are doing very well! Thanks, Richard, for the information on where you saw them. I hope to get them in the ground before it starts to cool down.

shredlew

Hello Richard!

Just wondering how your Silverberries are doing now. I didn't have any luck with rooting the cuttings I got, but I am hoping you have had success with yours, and have had some berries!

Richard

No berries yet, but it appears they will bloom this year. I pruned them over a month ago and started 10 cuttings, 5 indoors and 5 outdoors. It appears that at least one of the outdoor cuttings took. Of course, I cheated by using rooting gel and a diet of 10-20-30 fertilizer.

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shredlew

Hello again! With Spring approaching, my mind is back on new planting and I was thinking about your silverberries. What is the verdict now that you've had them for awhile?