Silverberry

(Elaeagnus commutata)

Silverberry (Elaeagnus commutata)

James St. John

CC BY 2.0

Image By: James St. John

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: James St. John | License Type: CC BY 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: James St. John | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Elaeagnus commutata, commonly known as Silverberry, is a deciduous shrub native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, and riparian zones in the Rocky Mountains, central and northern Canada. It typically grows to a height of 1–4 meters with a similar spread, featuring a dense, rounded form. The leaves are notable for their silvery scales on both sides, giving the foliage a shimmering appearance. Silverberry produces small, fragrant yellow flowers with a four-lobed corolla, each 6–14 mm long, blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy but are valued for their sweet scent. Following flowering, the plant bears ovoid drupes 9–12 mm long, also covered in silvery scales. The fruit pulp is floury in texture and encases a single seed.

Silverberry is appreciated for its silvery foliage, which provides a unique texture and color contrast in garden settings. It is often used for naturalizing in rural areas, as a windbreak, or for wildlife habitat, as the fruits are a food source for birds. Silverberry is adaptable to a range of soil types, provided they have good drainage, and it can tolerate both full sun and part shade. While it is relatively low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to pests like spider mites. It is important to note that Elaeagnus commutata can be extremely invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local regulations before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 8-12 feet
Width: 3-5 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant, Salt Tolerant

Natural Habitat

Open woodlands, forest edges, and riparian zones in the Rocky Mountains, central and northern Canada

Other Names

Common Names: American Silverberry, Silver Elaeagnus, Wolf-Willow, Wolfberry, Almindelig Sølvblad, Silber-Öweide, Silber-Ölweide, (Lännen)Hopeapensas, Chalef Argenté, Chalef Changeant

Scientific Names: , Elaeagnus commutata, Elaeagnus glabra, Elaeagnus argentea, Elaeagnus veteris-castelli, Elaeagnus argentea subsp. euargentea, Elaeagnus argentea subsp. pauciflora, Elaeagnus argentea subsp. rotundifolia, Elaeagnus argentea subsp. sinuosa, Elaeagnus argentea var. elongata

GBIF Accepted Name: Elaeagnus commutata Bernh. ex Rydb.