Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Emerald Cedar - TreeTime.ca

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Emerald Cedar

Elaeagnus commutata

Thuja occidentalis Smaragd

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Silverberry (Wolf Willow)
Emerald Cedar

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.

Emerald Cedar makes a great addition to landscapes, and is often used to form tight hedges or privacy screens. The thick scale-like foliage adds texture and colour to yards and is commonly used to line driveways. Unlike other cedars it retains its green colour throughout the fall and winter.

It is a semi dwarf species, which generally needs little pruning, but if desired it responds well to trimming. Its attractive, columnar shape and dense foliage makes it a desired landscape feature.

The Emerald Cedar won the award of merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Emerald Cedar Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Foliage: silvery leaves
Flowers: yellow
Berries: silver, edible
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: smaragd arborvitae, thuja occidentalis emeraude