Silver Buffalo Berry vs Grey Alder - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Grey Alder

Alnus incana

Shepherdia argentea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Grey Alder
Silver Buffalo Berry

River Alder is a large shrub or small tree with a multi-stemmed, spreading habit. It is an excellent tree to plant if you want to stabilize the soil near rivers and creeks.

Unlike the other alder varieties, River Alder is attractive enough to be included in riverside plantings by municipal and provincial park organizations.

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.

Grey Alder Quick Facts

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Fall colour: yellow to orange
Flowers: white
Fruit: small catkins
Berries: deep red, edible
Cones: small brown cones
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Other Names: hoary alder, river alder, speckled alder
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry