Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) is one of the toughest large shrubs you can plant for windbreaks, wildlife habitat, and erosion control on open, exposed, or drought-prone land. Where conventional landscape plants struggle in sandy, alkaline, or salty soils, Russian Olive thrives — growing fast, fixing nitrogen, and forming a dense, thorny barrier that shelters wildlife and anchors shifting soil for decades. Each order includes 5 bare root plants, 10–18 inches tall, ready to plant. Hardy in zones 2–9.

Best for: Windbreaks, shelterbelts, wildlife habitat, erosion control, and large-acreage conservation plantings.

Important: Russian Olive is an aggressive grower and is classified as invasive in several regions. Check your local regulations before planting. Cannot ship to Wyoming (WY) due to state agricultural regulations.

Why Gardeners Choose Russian Olive

• Unmatched wind protection: Dense branching and fast upright growth make it one of the most effective windbreak plants for open plains, homesteads, and exposed acreage borders.
• Extreme drought tolerance: Once established, Russian Olive survives on rainfall alone in most climates — one of the lowest-water large shrubs available.
• Thrives in poor soils: Fixes nitrogen and adapts to sand, clay, alkaline, and saline conditions where most conservation plants fail.
• High wildlife value: Produces a heavy annual crop of nutrient-dense berries that provide critical cold-season food and nesting cover for wild turkeys, deer, and native songbirds.
• Powerful erosion control: Develops a deep, binding root matrix that stabilizes loose soil on steep banks, drainage cuts, and wind-exposed acreage.
• Economical conservation planting: 5 bare root plants per order makes establishing large shelterbelts and wildlife corridors cost-effective at scale.

Planting & Care

• Light: Full sun — performs best with maximum direct light. Tolerates partial shade but growth rate and density are reduced.
• Soil: Extremely adaptable — tolerates sand, clay, alkaline, saline, and nutrient-poor soils. Does not require soil amendment.
• Growth rate: Fast — 2–4 feet per year under good conditions after establishment.
• Mature size: 10–15 feet tall and wide.
• Spacing: Plant on 10-foot centers in a single row for a dense hedge or screen. For multi-row windbreaks, stagger rows 12 feet apart to maximize structural coverage while allowing air circulation.
• Watering: Water consistently during the first growing season to help roots establish. Extremely drought-tolerant once rooted in — little to no supplemental irrigation needed after year one in most climates.
• Feeding: None required — Russian Olive fixes its own nitrogen. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which can promote excessive soft growth.
• Pruning: Tolerates hard pruning. Shape in late winter or early spring. Can be cut back severely to rejuvenate or control size.
• Special care: Check local invasive species regulations before planting near waterways or natural areas. Keep contained away from riparian zones where spread may be difficult to control.

Best Uses

• Windbreaks and shelterbelts on open, exposed land
• Wildlife habitat and food plot plantings
• Erosion control on banks, slopes, and drainage cuts
• Privacy screens on large rural properties
• Conservation and reclamation plantings on degraded soils
• Farmstead and homestead perimeter protection

Grows Best In

• USDA Zones: 2–9
• Climate notes: One of the most cold-hardy and drought-tolerant large shrubs available. Native to central Asia and bred for continental extremes — thrives in hot, dry summers and bitter winters. Tolerates salt, alkaline soils, and wind-exposed sites. Not recommended for humid subtropical climates or areas near sensitive riparian corridors.

Problem Solved

Russian Olive is the go-to conservation plant for large exposed sites where conventional windbreak trees — pines, spruce, arborvitae — fail to establish in alkaline, sandy, or drought-prone soils.

Also the right choice for wildlife managers who need a fast-establishing, high-value food and cover plant that thrives without irrigation, soil amendment, or ongoing maintenance.

Pro Tip

For the most effective large-scale windbreak, combine Russian Olive with taller conifers like Eastern Red Cedar or Rocky Mountain Juniper in the outer rows. Russian Olive’s dense low branching fills the critical 0–10 foot zone where wind and snow are hardest to block — while the conifers provide height. The combination outperforms either species planted alone.

Explore More Conservation & Privacy Options

• Need a non-invasive evergreen barrier for formal properties? Browse our Privacy Trees and Conifers.
• Looking for ground cover to secure steep slopes alongside your windbreak? Explore our Fast Growing Groundcovers.
• Browse all Deer-Resistant Plants.
• See all Fast Growing Trees & Shrubs.
• Anchor vulnerable terrain with our Erosion Control Plants.
• Reduce irrigation with our Drought-Tolerant Plants.

Shipping Information

• Ships as 5 bare root plants per order, 10–18 inches tall — graded, root-moistened, and ready to plant.
• Cannot ship to: Wyoming (WY) due to state agricultural and invasive species regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How fast does it grow?
Fast — 2–4 feet per year after establishment. Expect visible structural growth in the second season after planting.

Is it deer resistant?
Yes — thorny stems and aromatic foliage make Russian Olive one of the more deer-resistant large shrubs available.

Does it grow in containers?
Not recommended — Russian Olive develops an extensive root system and reaches 10–15 feet. Best planted directly in the ground.

How much sun does it need?
Full sun for best performance. Tolerates partial shade but growth rate and density are reduced.

Is it invasive?
Russian Olive is classified as invasive in some states, particularly in riparian and western regions. Check your local regulations before planting and avoid sites near waterways or natural areas.