Salix eleagnos

Very interesting. This reminds me of a russian olive. I'm betting the willow makes it tougher as far as cold hardiness. I'll have to look into it. Things have gotta be real tough for me up here. :-)

Hahaaha tough when the first factor you have to consider is cold hardiness? I'm too familiar with that, unfortunately.. I have a russian olive (eleagnus augustifolia) that has very sharp spines and it's leaves are grey-green... they are amazingly hardy.At present they are in blossom and smell wonderful. Is it possible that it's a politically correct name...for something russian? I find I can grow anything , russian or siberian or Amurian because they are so hardy.

HI Chris love the look of this. Saw similar I think in France all waving in wind especially near Calais. The leaves seem to turn so the silver side is up almost looking like blossom from afar? Is this the same thing

Sounds like it. They are very common on roadsides here in Hungary too. I used to think they were a sort of olive until I discovered that they are a willow.

I wonder how of these I've seen over here, mistaking them for olive trees ??

They are also known as Russian willows, particularly in US I think.