Red Elderberry vs Silver Leaf Willow - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Silver Leaf Willow

Salix alba var. sericea

Sambucus racemosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Silver Leaf Willow
Red Elderberry

Silver Leaf Willow has orangish bark and long, silvery grey leaves. Bees and other insects are attracted to its flowers.

Popular as an ornamental tree for parks, it is also used as a shelterbelt species. It may not be as cold hardy as some of the other willow varieties, however.

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

Silver Leaf Willow Quick Facts

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Toxicity: toxic to humans
Foliage: narrow-glossy
Fall colour: pale yellow
Bark: yellow-brown
Flowers: white
Berries: bright red berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, PE
Other Names: white willow
Other Names: red elder