Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Northern Red Currant - TreeTime.ca

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Northern Red Currant

Ribes triste

Elaeagnus commutata

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Northern Red Currant
Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

The Northern Red Currant is also known as the Swamp Red currant due to its preference for moist soil. As long as the soil is wet, this shrub can live in any degree of sunlight.

The currant itself is a bright red-purple berry enjoyed by many animals and some people for its sour flavour, similar to garden red currants. The flowers of this shrub are tiny and red or greenish-purple.

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.

Northern Red Currant Quick Facts

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Foliage: silvery leaves
Flowers: reddish or greenish purple
Flowers: yellow
Berries: shiny, sour, bright red
Berries: silver, edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: swamp red currant
Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow