Russian Olive vs Showy Mountain Ash - TreeTime.ca

Russian Olive vs Showy Mountain Ash

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Sorbus decora

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Russian Olive
Showy Mountain Ash

Russian Olive is a medium-sized deciduous tree that has attractive silvery coloured foliage with small yellow flowers that emit a fragrant sweet smell.

It is drought and salt tolerant, and works well as a shelterbelt species. Russian Olive can also be used to combat erosion.

Note: although Russian Olive is planted as an attractive boulevard tree in many northern areas, in warmer areas it can invade watersheds and is considered invasive. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

Showy Mountain Ash is a hardy accent tree. It features pretty clusters of white flowers in spring followed by bright scarlet berries lasting into winter.

Great for small landscapes, Showy Mountain Ash is adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and it is suitable for average home landscape conditions.

Russian Olive Quick Facts

Showy Mountain Ash Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Foliage: silver scales
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: yellow
Flowers: white, showy clusters
Fruit: silver-yellow, olive-like
Berries: redberries in bunches
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL
Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive
Other Names: dogberry