Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Mr. Smooth™ Seedless Thornless Silverthorn (Elaeagnus pungens) showcases striking, silvery-green leaves that remain evergreen year-round. It grows about 5 to 8 feet tall, lending a polished look to hedges or foundation plantings. The smooth stems lack thorns, and its seedless nature prevents unwanted spread. This new selection provides quick coverage, reliable color, and easy handling.
Its subtle fall blooms emit a sweet fragrance, and the dense branching adds privacy in screening or windbreaks. This Asian-native shrub exhibits high tolerance to heat and moderate drought once established. Deer typically avoid it, and it stays largely free of significant pests or diseases. Use Mr. Smooth™ for mass plantings, border accents, erosion control, or container displays in sunny courtyards.
Mr. Smooth™ Seedless Thornless Silverthorn Care
Plant in well-draining soil that ranges from slightly acidic to mildly alkaline. Offer full to partial sun exposure, and water regularly during the first growing season. Reduce watering once the roots settle, but provide supplemental moisture during prolonged dry spells. Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to support new growth.
Deadheading isn’t necessary, but trim away any damaged or crossing stems to maintain a neat shape. Light pinching or thinning can encourage branching, and shearing is possible if you desire a more formal hedge. Rejuvenating older plants by cutting back heavily in late winter can spark fresh growth. In colder climates, insulate container-grown specimens or move them to a protected spot.
Mr. Smooth™ Seedless Thornless Silverthorn Spacing
Allow 4 to 6 feet between shrubs if you plan a row or hedge, ensuring enough room for each to fill out. A single specimen in a mixed border should have at least 5 feet of open space on all sides. When planting in a container, use one at least 16 inches in diameter, and upgrade as the shrub matures.
Mr. Smooth Seedless Thornless Silverthorn Information
| USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
| Plant Type: |
| Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
| Mature Height: 3 - 5 Feet |
| Mature Spread: 3 - 4 Feet |
| Spacing: 2 - 3 Feet |
| Habit: Upright |
| Flower Color(s): White, Yellow |
| Flower Description: White |
| Bloom Period: Spring to Early Summer |
| Foliage Type: Evergreen, Herbaceous |
| Foliage Color(s): Green |
| Foliage Description: Silvery-blue, aromatic leaves with a rounded shape, arranged in clusters. |
| Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Fall Interest |
| Watering: Average |
| Resists: Deer, Rabbit |
| Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
| Attracts: Bees, Butterflies |
| Container Role: Thriller |
| Uses: Borders, Containers, Hedges & Privacy, Mass Planting, Wildlife Gardens |
| Features: Attracts Pollinators, Deadheading Not Necessary, Low Maintenance |
| Brand: Proven Winners |
| Common Name: Mr. Smooth Seedless Thornless Silverthorn |
| Other Name(s): Thornless silverthorn |
| Scientific Name: Elaeagnus × 'NCEX1' |
- SKU:
- MSSTMR.SM-GC
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
All bushes, perennials & trees come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 24th |
| Zone 9 | March 31st |
| Zone 8 | April 7th |
| Zone 7 | April 14th |
| Zone 6b | April 21st |
| Zone 6a | April 28th |
| Zone 5b | May 5th |
| Zone 5a | May 12th |
| Zone 4 | May 19th |
| Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.