Grey Alder vs Silverberry (Wolf Willow) - TreeTime.ca

Grey Alder vs Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

Alnus incana

Elaeagnus commutata

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Grey Alder
Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

River Alder is a large shrub or small tree with a multi-stemmed, spreading habit. It is an excellent tree to plant if you want to stabilize the soil near rivers and creeks.

Unlike the other alder varieties, River Alder is attractive enough to be included in riverside plantings by municipal and provincial park organizations.

Note: We use Grey Alder for Alnus incana. This species is also known by many other common names, including River Alder, Speckled Alder, and others. Please confirm the scientific name to ensure you are ordering the correct plant.

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.

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.99 - SAVE UP TO 43%
Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Foliage: silvery leaves
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: small catkins
Berries: silver, edible
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder
Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow