Origin
The Elaeagnus ebbingei 'Compacta' is a variant of the Elaeagnus ebbingei, a plant species naturally occurring in East Asia. The plant is named after Friedrich Ebbinge, who discovered the plant during his expeditions in the 19th century. The 'Compacta' variant of this plant has been specifically cultivated to have a more compact growth pattern, making it very suitable for smaller gardens or landscapes.

Characteristics
The Elaeagnus ebbingei 'Compacta' is an evergreen shrub that generally reaches a height of 1.5 to 2 metres. It distinguishes itself by its dark green, glossy leaves which often take on a silverish colour in autumn and winter. In the spring and summer, the plant blooms with small, fragrant flowers, followed by small orange-red berries in the autumn. Despite its compact growth form, the plant can become quite dense, making it ideal as a privacy hedge.

Care
The Elaeagnus ebbingei 'Compacta' is an exceptionally rugged and low maintenance plant. It can cope well with most soil types, as long as they are well drained. Furthermore, the plant is fairly tolerant of drought, so it also performs well during longer periods of little rainfall. Pruning is usually not necessary, except to maintain its shape or to remove dead or damaged wood. Although the plant is quite tolerant of shade, it thrives best in full sun to semi-shade.