Red Elderberry vs Silver Leaf Willow - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Silver Leaf Willow

Sambucus racemosa

Salix alba sericea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Red Elderberry
Silver Leaf Willow

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.

Native to North America, 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 Quick Facts

Silver Leaf Willow Quick Facts

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

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: no
Catkins: yes


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