Silverberry, also known as Elaeagnus pungens, is an evergreen shrub with thorns that can be pruned into a hedge, if desired. Silverberry produces small fruits in late spring. Silverberry is considered a hardy plant because it thrives in both dry soil and soil that contains salt. The plant requires frequent pruning, especially if it is being used as a hedge.
Wear gardening gloves and use a partner as a spotter if you are going up on a ladder. Silverberry has large thorns that will cause injury, so wear a long-sleeved shirt while pruning and keep gardening gloves on at all times.
Prune silverberry in early spring to remove dead and crisscrossed branches. Clip off branches 1 inch above the base of the branch to allow new growth to develop.
Prune silverberry anytime before red fruits begin to grow in late spring. Pruning branches with silverberry fruit will prevent new fruit from growing.
Trim your silverberry shrub weekly during early and mid-spring in order to maintain a neat appearance, especially if you are using your silverberry shrub as a hedge. For straight-edged trimming, use hedge clippers instead of pruning shears.
Remove any branch clippings from the base of the shrub immediately after pruning to promote new growth and better absorption from the soil.
