Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) vs Silver Buffalo Berry - TreeTime.ca

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) vs Silver Buffalo Berry

Hippophae rhamnoides l.

Shepherdia argentea

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry)
Silver Buffalo Berry

Sea Buckthorn, aka Seaberry, is a nitrogen fixing shrub that produces attractive berries high in vitamin C.

While we can't confirm claims that the berries are effective in treating various ailments, many people believe consuming the berries helps with arthritis, infections, and asthma, among other things.

Sea Buckthorn plants have attractive pale silvery-green leaves, dense branches, and large thorns, people like to grow in ornamental hedges or as a first row in a shelterbelt.

Note: these plants typically reach maturity and make their sex easily known (females producing fruit) in their 3rd or 4th year of growth. Our seedlings are too young to identify their sex.

Silver Buffalo Berry is a cold hardy, ornamental shrub that is commonly used in the first row of shelterbelts instead of caragana or lilac. It features subtle yellow flowers, smooth grey bark, and red fruit. On occasion orange fruit is produced and rarely a yellow fruit. Please note: we regularly collect the rare yellow and orange fruit to use for our seed source.

Long-lived and slow growing, Silver Buffalo Berry is commonly found around sloughs, in coulees, and on light soils across the prairies, and grows best in full sun.

Buyers can enjoy increased bird life to their property, as this shrub acts as a habitat plant. It is also commonly planted for its ornamental and winter interest. It is native to parts of central and western North America.

This species is also known as one of the more salt-tolerant species for those with saline soils.

Note: this berry has mixed reviews when fresh, but makes a desirable jam or jelly with what is described as a clove and pear taste.

Sea Buckthorn (Seaberry) Quick Facts

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $1.49 - SAVE UP TO 75%
Lowest Price: $3.99 - SAVE UP TO 33%
Zone: 2b
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: small, edible
Berries: deep red, edible
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: high

In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)

In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: sallowthorn, sandthorn, seaberry
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry