Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry) - TreeTime.ca

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry)

Elaeagnus commutata

Lonicera caerulea Borealis

Silverberry (Wolf Willow)
Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry)

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.

Borealis Haskap is a popular variety due to its great-tasting, sweet-tart berries. The flavour of Haskaps is generally described as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Borealis Haskaps are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

It has strong fruit holds and is not very firm so it does not do well when handled by equipment. This variety is a favourite for home gardens and U-Picks.

For optimal fruit production, cross-pollination is required. Haskaps need to be planted with a compatible variety. Compatibility is influenced by both bloom time and genetics.

Borealis Haskap is an early-pollinating variety and pairs well with Aurora and Honey Bee.

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

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Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Foliage: silvery leaves
Flowers: yellow
Berries: silver, edible
Berries: berries are large; berries are similar to blueberries but larger and have a taste between raspberry and blueberry; ready for harvest at the end of June
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow
Other Names: borealis honeyberry, haskap, honeyberry