Elaeagnus commutata, the silverberry or wolf-willow, is a species of Elaeagnus native to western and boreal North America. The species is cultivated as an ornamental plant for its silvery foliage.
Elaeagnus commutata plants are shrubs or small trees growing to 1–4 m tall. The leaves are broad lanceolate, 2–7 cm long, silvery on both sides with dense small white scales. The fragrant flowers are yellow, with a four-lobed corolla 6–14 mm long. The fruits are ovoid drupes 9–12 mm long, also covered in silvery scales. The fruit pulp is floury in texture, and surrounds the single seed. Both the fruit and seeds of this plant are edible either cooked or raw.
These shrubs prefer moist soil while establishing. When established Elaeagnus are very drought tolerant plants. Only during prolonged periods of summer drought will plants require supplemental irrigation.
They grow in a well-drained, light sandy soil that is only moderately fertile, succeeding in poor and dry soils.
Elaeagnus benefit from fertilization, especially when young. Feed them in late winter or early spring with a slow-release shrub or tree type fertilizer or a natural, organic plant food.
This plant is very cold hardy and can be grown in the areas with the lowest winter temperatures of -45.5°C (-50°F).
