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

Grey Alder vs Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

Elaeagnus commutata

Alnus incana

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Silverberry (Wolf Willow)
Grey Alder

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.

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.

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


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: no
Catkins: yes


Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder