Elaeagnus commutata
AMERICAN SILVERBERRY
SKU: 1534-3
Description
Elaeagnus commutata, the silverberry or wolf-willow, is a species of Elaeagnus native to western and boreal North America, from southern Alaska through British Columbia east to Quebec, south to Utah, and across the upper Midwestern United States to South Dakota and western Minnesota. It typically grows on dry to moist sandy and gravel soils in steppes, meadows or woodland edges.
These plants are fast-growing shrubs or small trees growing to 1–4 meters tall and 2-5 meters width. The leaves are silvery on both sides with dense small white scales. The fragrant flowers are yellow. The fruits are 9–12 mm long, also covered in silvery scales.
The species is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its silvery foliage. Both the fruit and seeds of this plant are edible either cooked or raw. The fruit is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals especially A, C, and E. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids — these fats are rarely found in fruits.
Type: Hardy shrub/tree
Hardiness zones: 2-6
Seeds per pack: 3
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 60-90 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature (20-22 °C, 68-72 °F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer, and will germinate irregularly over a long period of time. Do not discard the planting tray, as patience is needed, and they are well worth the wait.
Description
Elaeagnus commutata, the silverberry or wolf-willow, is a species of Elaeagnus native to western and boreal North America, from southern Alaska through British Columbia east to Quebec, south to Utah, and across the upper Midwestern United States to South Dakota and western Minnesota. It typically grows on dry to moist sandy and gravel soils in steppes, meadows or woodland edges.
These plants are fast-growing shrubs or small trees growing to 1–4 meters tall and 2-5 meters width. The leaves are silvery on both sides with dense small white scales. The fragrant flowers are yellow. The fruits are 9–12 mm long, also covered in silvery scales.
The species is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its silvery foliage. Both the fruit and seeds of this plant are edible either cooked or raw. The fruit is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals especially A, C, and E. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids — these fats are rarely found in fruits.
Type: Hardy shrub/tree
Hardiness zones: 2-6
Seeds per pack: 3
Germination: Start these seeds indoors right away for best germination rates. Your planting container should have holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a seed-start mix, and water in. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 60-90 days. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold-moist stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature (20-22 °C, 68-72 °F) for them to germinate. Germination is generally 30-90 days after the warming period, though some can take longer, and will germinate irregularly over a long period of time. Do not discard the planting tray, as patience is needed, and they are well worth the wait.
