Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Bristly Black Currant - TreeTime.ca

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) vs Bristly Black Currant

Ribes lacustre

Elaeagnus commutata

CUSTOM GROW

Bristly Black Currant
Silverberry (Wolf Willow)

Bristly Black Currant is a native deciduous shrub that grows in moist forests, swamps, and riparian areas. In summer, it produces clusters of dark purple to black berries that provide food for wildlife, while its reddish-purple flowers attract pollinators. The berries are technically edible and enjoyed by some, but many find them unpleasant and bitter.

Thriving in moist soils and shaded locations, Bristly Black Currant helps stabilize soil and supports diverse habitats. It is valuable for conservation plantings, wetland restoration, riparian buffers, and naturalization projects.

Note: When crushed, the berries are known to release an offensive odour.

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.

Bristly Black Currant Quick Facts

Silverberry (Wolf Willow) Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 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, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: upright to spreading, thicket-forming
Spreading: seeds - medium, layering - low
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: prickles may cause an allergic reaction

Foliage: silvery leaves
Bark: reddish brown with prickles
Flowers: small maroon-green clusters
Flowers: yellow
Bloom time: spring to early summer
Berries: dark purple with hairs, edible
Berries: silver, edible
Flavor: tart, unpleasant
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: black gooseberry, black swamp gooseberry, bristly black gooseberry, bristly currant, bristly swamp currant, prickly currant
Other Names: american silverberry, silver berry, wolf willow