Olive Martini™ Elaeagnus (3 Gallon)

Elaeagnus × ebbingei ‘Viveleg’ PP20177

Add bold year-round color and fast-growing structure to the landscape with Olive Martini™ Elaeagnus. This striking evergreen shrub features rich green foliage edged in bright golden yellow, with silvery new growth adding even more dimension.

Olive Martini is especially useful when you need a large, durable evergreen shrub for screening, privacy, hedging, slopes, or as a substantial landscape backdrop. It handles Southern heat well and develops quickly into a dense, attractive plant.

Plant at a Glance

Botanical Name: Elaeagnus × ebbingei ‘Viveleg’ PP20177
Common Name: Olive Martini™ Elaeagnus
Container Size: 3 Gallon
Plant Type: Large evergreen ornamental shrub
Annual or Perennial: Perennial
Evergreen or Deciduous: Evergreen
USDA Hardiness Zones: 6–9
Mature Height: Approximately 10–15 feet tall
Mature Width: Approximately 10–15 feet wide
Growth Habit: Large, dense, rounded to upright shrub
Growth Rate: Fast
Sunlight: Full sun
Water Needs: Medium; lower once established
Foliage: Green leaves edged in golden yellow with silvery new growth
Flowers: Yes — small, fragrant flowers
Bloom Season: Fall into winter
Flower Color: Small creamy-white to silvery flowers
Primary Feature: Variegated evergreen foliage
Landscape Uses: Hedge, privacy screen, backdrop, slope planting, specimen

Why We Love Olive Martini

Olive Martini is a great choice when you want something more interesting than an ordinary green screening shrub.

The foliage gives you several layers of color:

Green centers provide the evergreen foundation.
Golden-yellow margins brighten the landscape year-round.
Silvery new growth adds a soft contrasting tone.

This combination makes Olive Martini particularly attractive against darker green shrubs, fences, brick homes, and natural wooded backdrops.

Sunlight Requirements

Plant Olive Martini in full sun.

For the strongest growth and brightest gold variegation, plant it where it receives approximately 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day.

Some light shade may be tolerated, but heavier shade can result in a looser plant and less vibrant foliage.

Watering

Immediately After Planting

Water deeply after planting so the entire root ball and surrounding soil are thoroughly moistened.

First Growing Season

Water deeply approximately 1–2 times per week, adjusting for rainfall, temperature, and soil conditions.

Newly planted shrubs may require more frequent watering during periods of extreme summer heat.

Once Established

Olive Martini becomes relatively drought tolerant once established.

Water during prolonged dry periods, particularly during very hot summer weather.

Fertilization

Fertilize once yearly in early spring as new growth begins.

Use a balanced, slow-release shrub and tree fertilizer according to package directions.

Avoid overfertilizing. This is already a fast-growing shrub, and excessive nitrogen can encourage overly vigorous growth that requires more frequent pruning.

Planting Instructions

1. Water the plant thoroughly before planting.
2. Select a sunny location with enough room for a mature shrub up to 10–15 feet wide.
3. Dig a hole approximately twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper.
4. Remove the plant carefully from its container.
5. Gently loosen tightly circling roots.
6. Position the plant with the top of the root ball slightly above the surrounding soil level.
7. Backfill using the existing garden soil.
8. Water deeply to settle the soil around the roots.
9. Add approximately 1–2 inches of pine straw or mulch.
10. Keep mulch pulled away from the main stems.

Soil

Olive Martini performs best in well-drained garden soil.

It is adaptable once established, but good drainage will give the plant its best start.

Avoid locations where standing water remains around the roots for long periods.

Pruning & Maintenance

Olive Martini is a fast-growing shrub, so occasional pruning may be necessary depending on how it is being used.

For a privacy screen or natural hedge, allow the plant to maintain a somewhat loose, natural form.

For a more formal hedge, it can be pruned more regularly.

Best Time to Prune

Major shaping is best done in late winter or early spring.

Light trimming may be performed as needed throughout the growing season.

Does Olive Martini Flower?

Yes.

Olive Martini produces small, fragrant flowers that are subtle compared with its dramatic foliage.

Bloom Season: Generally fall into winter
Flower Color: Creamy-white to silvery

The flowers are not the main ornamental feature, but they can be surprisingly fragrant.

Evergreen or Deciduous?

Evergreen.

Olive Martini keeps its attractive green-and-gold foliage throughout the year in its recommended growing zones.

This makes it especially useful for year-round privacy and screening.

Zone 9 / Coastal Georgia Performance

Olive Martini is well suited to southeast Georgia and performs well in USDA Zones 6–9.

It is a strong Southern landscape shrub because it tolerates heat, humidity, sun, and seasonal dry periods once established.

For newly planted 3-gallon shrubs, consistent watering during the first growing season is important for strong root development.

Landscape Uses

Olive Martini is an excellent choice for:

• Privacy screens
• Large evergreen hedges
• Property lines
• Fence screening
• Landscape backdrops
• Large foundation beds
• Slopes
• Specimen shrubs
• Wind protection

Because of its eventual 10–15 foot height and width, it is best used where there is room for a substantial shrub.

Beautiful Plant Pairings

Pair Olive Martini with:

Evergreen Structure
Podocarpus
Jade Distylium
Vintage Jade Distylium
Dwarf Hollies
Camellias

Flowering Shrubs
White Encore® Azaleas
White Drift® Roses
Gardenias
Hydrangeas

Lower-Growing Texture
Carex ‘Everillo’
Feather Falls Carex
Liriope
Asiatic Jasmine

Why Wright’s Market Loves It

We love Olive Martini™ Elaeagnus because it gives homeowners a practical solution for privacy and screening without sacrificing style.

It grows quickly, stays evergreen, and provides more visual interest than a plain green hedge. The combination of green, gold, and silver foliage makes it especially attractive in layered Southern landscapes.

Wright’s Market Plant Tip

Remember the mature size: 10–15 feet tall and 10–15 feet wide.

Give Olive Martini enough room from the beginning so it can develop naturally without constant pruning.

Please note: Plant height, fullness, foliage color, flowering, and overall appearance vary by season and growing conditions. A 3-gallon Olive Martini is a young landscape plant and will continue developing toward its mature size after planting.