Russian Olive vs Northern Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Russian Olive vs Northern Gooseberry

Ribes oxyacanthoides

Elaeagnus angustifolia

Northern Gooseberry
Russian Olive

Northern Gooseberry is a small, ornamental quality native shrub with prickly stems. You can plant it anywhere you'd plant Prickly Rose or Common Wild Rose, such as your yard.

Most people find Northern Gooseberry berries a bit tart for significant fresh eating but they are good for baking, wine or jam.

Russian Olive is a medium-sized deciduous tree that has attractive silvery coloured foliage with small yellow flowers that emit a fragrant sweet smell.

It is drought and salt tolerant, and works well as a shelterbelt species. Russian Olive can also be used to combat erosion.

Note: although Russian Olive is planted as an attractive boulevard tree in many northern areas, in warmer areas it can invade watersheds and is considered invasive. Please do some research and plant the right tree in the right place.

Northern Gooseberry Quick Facts

Russian Olive Quick Facts

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Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 9 m (30 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Foliage: silver scales
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: silver-yellow, olive-like
Berries: purple or purplish black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 1.8 - 2.4 m (6 - 8 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT
Other Names: canada gooseberry, canadian gooseberry
Other Names: silver berry oleaster, wild olive