Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Illini Hardy Blackberry - TreeTime.ca

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Illini Hardy Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus Illini Hardy

Elaeagnus commutata

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Illini Hardy Blackberry
Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

The Illini Hardy Blackberry was developed in Illinois for northern growers, and produces a large, juicy blackberry with medium-sweet flavor. The berries are ready for harvest in midsummer, and go great in preserves.

The Illini Hardy Blackberry, or the Illinois Blackberry, are floricanes, primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn’t require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

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.

Illini Hardy Blackberry Quick Facts

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: silvery leaves
Flowers: yellow
Berries: black
Berries: silver, edible
Flavor: medium
Harvest: July
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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