Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Western Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Western Snowberry

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Elaeagnus commutata

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Western Snowberry
Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

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.

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high

Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Foliage: silvery leaves
Flowers: pinkish white
Flowers: yellow
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Berries: silver, edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry
Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow