Charlie’s Golden Autumn Olive

Charlie’s Golden Autumn Olive

A golden fruited selection by the remarkable Hector Black who lived an extraordinary life and made many great horticultural selections for his Hidden Springs Nursery. Charlie’s Golden Autumn Olive is extremely productive and the golden fruits have a sweeter flavor than many of the red fruited selections.

A very valuable and attractive shrub,  Autumn Olive bears heavy crops of tasty and nutritious red or orange/yellow berries. Recent research has shown Autumn Olive fruit to be extremely high in lycopene, which appears to help prevent prostate and other cancers. Very hardy and disease and pest resistant, birds also relish the fruit and bees love the profuse, fragrant white flowers.

Autumn Olive like half day to full sun, well drained soil and is self-fertile. It is hardy to at least minus 35 degrees F., (USDA Zone 3) and often begins bearing the 2nd year after planting. Autumn Olive is not related to the true Olive and can be invasive in some regions of the US. We’ve seen no problems in the Pacific Northwest. Check with your county extension office for more information.

Latin Name: Elaeagnus umbellata
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description:
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile.
Hardiness: Hardy to about minus 35° F.
Bearing Age: 2-3 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 8-10 ft. in height
Taste: Sweet
Fruit Skin: Light yellow
Fruit Size: Large
Flower Color: White
Bloom Time: Early May
Ripening Time: September
Yield: 50+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Autumn Olive is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 3-8