Maculata Thorny Elaeagnus/Silverberry                   e-le-AG-nus PUN-jenz

• Broadleaf evergreen shrub, 10-15 ft (3-4.5 m) high, equal spread, dense spreading, irregular habit (esp. in shade).  Thorns, 5-8 cm long.   Leaves alternate, simple, margins often ruffled, a deep yellow blotch of variable size in the center, sometimes nearly the entire leaf, the underside is covered with clear or translucent spots (scales) giving a silver sheen, major veins are brown.   Flowers perfect, silvery white, fragrant, 12 long, tubular, appear in late fall or early winter.   Fruit is not commonly seen.
• Sun to part shade.  Less dense in shade.  Adaptable to varied soils and can withstand considerable drought.  This cultivar will often revert back to type (species form), prune out such new shoots to maintain the variegated form.
• Hardy to USDA Zone 6     Species native to Japan.
• Be aware that the leaves of E. pungens 'Maculata' have a green margin and yellow center, whereas the leaves of the similar E. × ebbingei 'Gilt Edge' have a gold-yellow margin and green center.
• pungens: spiny, refers to thorns.