Elaeagnus is one of the toughest shrubs you can grow – coping with sun or heavy shade and a wide range of difficult soils including heavy clays. Its tough constitution makes it ideal as a foundation shrub or hedge, where it provides lush, evergreen foliage, structure, and sweet scent. Elaeagnus ebbingei ‘Compacta’ is denser and more compact than other varieties with leathery, lance-shaped, dark glossy green leaves with a silvery sheen. The underside of the foliage has a white, dusty coating. In autumn, it bears very small white flowers that have a surprisingly potent fragrance for their size. Elaegnus is drought-tolerant, coping with poor dry soils, exposed sites and coastal positions. Height: 2.5m (8.2ft). Spread: 2m (6.5ft).