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Eleagnus not flowering

sharon.rosemailsharon.rosemail Posts: 4
in Problem solving

Our eleagnus shrubs seem to be thriving but not flowering. Is it a pruning issue? 

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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,299

    which eleagnus? How long have you had them?



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • sharon.rosemailsharon.rosemail Posts: 4

    Variegated and non-variegated. The man at the garden centre said they all flower. We've had them approx 5 years.

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,299

    Are you sure the variegated ones haven't flowered, you can barely see the flowers amidst all the variegation when they do come. They aren't really worth waiting for, so insignificant. Eleagnus aren't showy flowerers at all but some have a great scent (but not those variegated ones)



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,955

    I was just about to say that too nut - the flowers aren't big or showy.

    Were you maybe expecting something more like a Hydrangea or Viburnum, Sharon? Eleagnus are great shrubs,  but really grown for their foliage.

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • sharon.rosemailsharon.rosemail Posts: 4

    Yes thanks for responses - I know the flowers are tiny but they smell gorgeous - and they haven't been there.

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 53,955

    I wonder if the ground is too rich for them then Sharon? Plants sometimes make foliage at the expense of flowers if the ground is very fertile. Is that a possibility in the site you have them?

    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,299

     I'd forgotten the variegated one, mine died. It does have the scent, sorry to confuse.

    Are there any buds on it? It's  coming up for their time. How large has it grown,? Is it struggling?



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601

    My variegated eleagnus flower, but not for some time yet. They do it in the depth of winter and the scent is amazing. I avoid pruning as much as possible but I do feed them in spring. They grow and flower every year.

  • sharon.rosemailsharon.rosemail Posts: 4

    Ok thanks everyone maybe I'm being impatient for the flowers. I'll wait and see what happens this winter!!

  • lewis.lay99lewis.lay99 Posts: 1
    I planted an elaeagnus (I think ebbingei variety) about 15 years ago and have been disappointed that it has never flowered as the scent is fantastic.  This year for the first time I have a few flowers, so don't give up too soon.  I would love to understand why it flowered this year and not the previous 14 years.  I would love to know what I can do to increase the chances of it flowering in the future.
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