Autumn Olive...something I may consider planting...pros and cons (1 Viewer)

cadillactaste · May 8, 2013

I was admiring a bush near the front entrance of our lake. It is growing in the oddest place. Atop a boulder...so not planted by man.

Then noticed same shrub on property we recently purchased near us. Considering transplanting it...but it says it is invasive. Which does concern me a bit.

Though what intrigues me is that it bares edible fruit! Thought the birds may enjoy that!

Located the name from gardenweb.com...after sharing a photo in "Name that plant" section.

cadillactaste · May 8, 2013

http://www.naturehills.com/autumn-olive

You can even purchase them at nurseries...fruit stays on through late winter. A plus for the birds.

OsageArcher · May 8, 2013

Nothing at all wrong with just about any Eleagnus species or variety - they look good, grow well and quickly but not too big (maybe to 20'? if left alone after a few years), can be trimmed if desired and many varieties are attractive (to humans) because some have somewhat silvery leaves and the reddish fruit, and although I can't say I've seen any birds eating them I have sampled some and they aren't bad...I have seen several different species of birds making nests in them, so they are attractive to wildlife as well.

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaeagnus

I have planted probably a dozen of different varieties in several different places I've lived and all have done well. Most recently, ones I've bought only about 1'-2' high have grown in 8-9 years to be about 7' high and across but that's because of trimming - they'd undoubtedly be at least twice that big without cutting them back, which I have to do maybe 3-4 times a year if I want them to look nice. Others that I've just let grow look fine, too. So they are a good addition to just about any landscape, I think.

cadillactaste · May 8, 2013

Gardenweb.com a member says I'll be enabling the invasive plant moving next the bird feeding area. So maybe not a good thing...though they'll eat the berries off the other shrubs around the area.

cadillactaste · May 8, 2013

OsageArcher said:
Nothing at all wrong with just about any Eleagnus species or variety - they look good, grow well and quickly but not too big (maybe to 20'? if left alone after a few years), can be trimmed if desired and many varieties are attractive (to humans) because some have somewhat silvery leaves and the reddish fruit, and although I can't say I've seen any birds eating them I have sampled some and they aren't bad...I have seen several different species of birds making nests in them, so they are attractive to wildlife as well.

I have planted probably a dozen of different varieties in several different places I've lived and all have done well. Most recently, ones I've bought only about 1'-2' high have grown in 8-9 years to be about 7' high and across but that's because of trimming - they'd undoubtedly be at least twice that big without cutting them back, which I have to do maybe 3-4 times a year if I want them to look nice. Others that I've just let grow look fine, too. So they are a good addition to just about any landscape, I think.

See your for it...everyone will have their own opinion I guess. I live next to a ravine where they are allowed to toss leaves and branches. The idea of something producing fruit and hiding that area was a plus. Also figured it would look natural to the native nature around...Hm-mmm I thought it a pretty shrub. May still consider it. Thanks!

OsageArcher · May 8, 2013

cadillactaste said:
Gardenweb.com a member says I'll be enabling the invasive plant moving next the bird feeding area. So maybe not a good thing...though they'll eat the berries off the other shrubs around the area.

I don't understand how it is "invasive" - I have one right next to where I feed birds and it's no problem at all, in fact it provides a handy platform for them to check the area out. The bush has shown no tendency to "invade" anything - I wish I could say the same about the ubiquitous Privet (Ligustrum species) that springs up everywhere here and never stops!

cadillactaste · May 8, 2013

The poster says the birds will eat it and spread it. So I guess through their droppings...seeds are distributed all over the place.

OsageArcher · May 8, 2013

cadillactaste said:
The poster says the birds will eat it and spread it. So I guess through their droppings...seeds are distributed all over the place.

I have not had that happen with the ones I've planted, though I guess it's certainly possible - after all the mechanism whereby birds eat fruits and spread the seeds is one of the main means of dispersion of many plants!

Here's a picture of the fruits of the ones I currently have - they are not eaten by the birds as far as I can tell, certainly not to any great degree as there are always plenty on the bushes for me! That's not normally the case for edible fruits eaten by both Man and wildlife - we humans nowadays have to be pretty quick to get to the fruits before the critters...the birds around here strip everything else quite bare before I get a chance...

cadillactaste · May 8, 2013

Thanks for the photo...maybe not as a tasty treat. Thus why the berries last through until almost end of winter.

Your having it near your feeding station offering a better fare...maybe another reason the berries aren't touched.

Thanks again!!! I am highly considering moving this plant to the hillside.

jmepler · May 8, 2013

Autumn Olive is invasive and I would not promote it's spread. It is eaten by a few bird species and they easily spread it far and wide. Being non-native, it has few insect pests. Once established it tends to thrive and displace native species. Birds that feed on insects will not be seen on Autumn Olive, there is nothing there for them to eat. There is also evidence of increased nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds in nests in Autumn Olive.

Habitats with a large percentage of Autumn Olive are not good bird habitats in general.

My opinion, Mike

cadillactaste · May 9, 2013

jmepler said:
Autumn Olive is invasive and I would not promote it's spread. It is eaten by a few bird species and they easily spread it far and wide. Being non-native, it has few insect pests. Once established it tends to thrive and displace native species. Birds that feed on insects will not be seen on Autumn Olive, there is nothing there for them to eat. There is also evidence of increased nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds in nests in Autumn Olive.

Habitats with a large percentage of Autumn Olive are not good bird habitats in general.

My opinion, Mike

Thanks Mike...your opinion and the fact we have those birds here at our feeders will make me easily choose another selection!

Well then my alternate choice are actually two...

This one I admire in another person's yard as I drive home from town...
http://southerngarden.weebly.com/fountain-butterfly-bush.html

This one my husband likes at the neighbors house at the main entrance to the lake we here we live...
http://www.naturehills.com/bushes-and-shrubs/weigela-shrubs/weigela-pink-princess

These are two I am considering...heading to the nursery over the weekend...for one of them. And a short long flowering shrub to plant in front of my small decorative birdhouse/picket fence that is located on the patio feeding station. Figure I'll let the people who know plants steer me in the right direction for that.

Autumn Olive...something I may consider planting...pros and cons (1 Viewer)

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