Description
The Japanese silverberry 'Pointilla® Sweet’n’Sour' is a hardy, edible and ornamental shrub, prized for its autumn fruiting, melliferous spring flowers, and silver-backed foliage. This self-fertile variety is highly productive, even in poor soils, and produces numerous small red berries that are rich in lycopene, antioxidants and vitamin C. Their sweet-tart flavour makes them ideal for syrups, jams, or fresh use. This shrub is perfectly suited to natural gardens, edible hedges and permaculture systems.
Elaeagnus umbellata originates from East Asia (China, Japan, Himalayas), where it grows naturally in open, poor soils. It is known for its ability to enrich soil with nitrogen through root symbiosis. The cultivar 'Pointilla® Sweet’n’Sour' was developed in Europe for its consistent yield, compact habit, and excellent taste, without sacrificing the species’ natural hardiness.
Mature height: 2.5 to 3.5 m
Mature width: 2 to 3 m
Form: Bushy, softly rounded, with slightly arching branches
Foliage: Deciduous, oval to elliptic, olive green above, silvery and slightly hairy below
Bark: Grey to light brown, smooth on young stems, becomes rougher with age
Growth rate: Moderate to fast
Hardiness: Excellent (down to –30 °C)
Flowering: May to June; small tubular creamy-white flowers, highly fragrant and rich in nectar
Fruiting: From September, 6–8 mm red berries, juicy and tart-sweet, ideal for jams and syrups
Nutritional value: Very high in vitamin C, lycopene and antioxidants
Light: Full sun or partial shade (best fruit production in full sun)
Soil: Well-drained, tolerates poor, sandy, calcareous or stony soils
Bonus: Thrives in dry and degraded soils, even where other shrubs struggle
Best time: Autumn or spring
Spacing: 1 to 1.5 m in hedge, more for isolated use
Tip: Water generously at planting; apply organic mulch to aid establishment
Young plants: Water during first year if dry
Mature plants: Drought-tolerant, no irrigation required except in extreme drought
Low maintenance
When: Late winter or after fruiting
Why: To balance shape or reduce size; very tolerant of pruning
By seed: Possible but not true to type
By cuttings: Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer recommended
By layering: Slow but effective
Recommendation: Use cuttings or nursery plants to preserve cultivar traits
In Asia, the berries are used in tonic drinks or fermented into fruit wine. In Europe, the shrub is valued for its dual role in biodiversity and food production. It is widely planted in agroecological hedges and forest gardens.
Very healthy plant overall
Pests: Occasional aphids in spring; easily managed
Treatments: Black soap or nettle infusion if needed
Diseases: No fungal or root issues reported
Plant in well-lit, drained locations
Apply mulch in the first two years to conserve moisture and support soil life
Combine with other edible shrubs (e.g. currants, elder, serviceberry)
Avoid rich fertilisation – this shrub thrives in lean soils
Self-fertile, but fruit set improves with cross-pollination
Balanced taste – sweet and tangy
Compact and well-branched, great for small gardens
Heavy annual yield, even in low-maintenance settings
Elaeagnus umbellata 'Pointilla® Sweet’n’Sour' is a resilient and versatile fruiting shrub. Its edible berries, silver foliage and melliferous flowers make it ideal for low-maintenance, biodiversity-rich gardens. Perfect for permaculture and edible hedging projects.
Expédition & livraison
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Each order is processed individually.
Plants are packed, staked and labeled.
Packaging is carefully implemented to avoid any problems.
Packages are ready to be shipped.Shipping of our plants throughout Europe (except overseas and islands).
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