Silver Leaf Willow vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Silver Leaf Willow vs Black Elderberry

Salix alba sericea

Sambucus canadensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Silver Leaf Willow
Black Elderberry

Native to North America, Silver Leaf Willow has orangish bark and long, silvery grey leaves. Bees and other insects are attracted to its flowers.

Popular as an ornamental tree for parks, it is also used as a shelterbelt species. It may not be as cold hardy as some of the other willow varieties, however.

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.

Silver Leaf Willow Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 15 m (50 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Foliage: narrow-glossy
Fall colour: pale yellow
Bark: yellow-brown
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Berries: black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: white willow
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry