Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Silverberry (Wolf Willow) - TreeTime.ca

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

Amelanchier alnifolia Thiessen

Elaeagnus commutata

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

Thiessen Saskatoon is a deciduous shrub that produces delicious edible fruit. It is one of the most productive saskatoon varieties. Its fruit is great in pies, preserves or eating fresh.

Thiessen Saskatoon is popular with U-Picks and home owners because of its taller tree-like shape and larger berries. But it is not the best choice for berry orchards as it is too tall for most mechanical harvesting equipment.

Silverberry (also known as Wolf Willow) is a common native North American shrub. This beautiful ornamental plant has characteristic silver leaves and fragrant yellow flowers.

Its silver berries remain on the branches through the winter. Silverberry is cold hardy and has some ability as a nitrogen fixer. It can grow on dry to moist sandy/gravel soils. This plant is very low maintenance.

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


Foliage: silvery leaves
Flowers: yellow
Berries: blue
Berries: silver, edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry
Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow