Landscape Alternatives
Similar to Elaeagnus umbellata var. parviflora (Wall. ex Royle) C.K.Schneid.
These native plants make excellent substitutes for Elaeagnus spp. in the landscape.
Alabama Croton, Croton alabmanensis, is a small shrub at 4 to 7 ft. Leaves and twigs are liberally dotted with silvery scales and the undrsides of the leaves are silvery white. Leaves produce an applelike fragrance when crushed and turn a bright pumpkin orange in fall and through the winter as many leaves often hang on making it semi-evergreen in some climes. Yellow-green flowers in spring produce dry fruit capsules. It will grow in dry, poor, alkaline soil, but does best in moist, well-drained areas with a bit of shade. It is globally rare and Endangered - Possibly Extirpated in Tennessee.
Golden and Shrubby St. John's-wort, Hypericum frondosum and H. prolificum, two shrubs (3 to 6 ft.) adaptable to various site conditions, have exfoliated bark and showy yellow flowers in summer.
Spicebush, Lindera benzoin, a shrub for moist shade (4-10 ft.), flowers in late March or early April for spring bees. Female shrubs produce shiny red fruit high in fat. They are loved by many birds and ripen at peak migration. This shrub is larval food for the spicebush swallowtail.