Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Black Elderberry

Elaeagnus commutata

Sambucus canadensis

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Silverberry (Wolf Willow)
Black Elderberry

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.

Black Elderberry is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. You can plant this shrub in moist areas and it will help stabilize your soil. You can also use it on rural properties anywhere you'd use a lilac.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Ranch Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries of the Black Elderberry are poisonous to humans when eaten in quantity. You should cook the berries to make them safe for human consumption.

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Foliage: silvery leaves
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: yellow
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Berries: silver, edible
Berries: black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry