Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs White Fringe Tree

Chionanthus virginicus

Elaeagnus commutata

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White Fringe Tree
Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

White Fringe Tree is known for its fringe-like white flowers. It can either grow as a small tree or a large multistemmed shrub. The White Fringe Tree has separate male and female plants. Both male and female flowers have white fringe-like petals, but the male flowers are longer and showier. The female flowers give way to clusters of dark blue to black berries. These berries are not edible for humans but attract birds and other wildlife.

The White Fringe Tree is tolerant of clay soils, saline soils, and air pollution but does not do well in prolonged dry conditions.

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.

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: blue to black
Berries: silver, edible
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Flowers: yellow
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high




Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree
Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow