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Silver Buffalo Berry vs Blackcurrant

Shepherdia argentea

Ribes nigrum

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Silver Buffalo Berry
Blackcurrant

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.

Blackcurrant is a medium-sized shrub producing delicious, deep purple to black sweet berries suitable for jams, jellies, syrups and cordial.

Our Blackcurrant is grown from seed from the "Ben" series of Blackcurrant cultivars, developed by the Mylnefield Research Station in Scotland with a focus on cold hardiness and heavy commercial fruit production. Our seedlings will be slightly different due to hereditary differences but will be very similar to this series.

SILVER BUFFALO BERRY QUICK FACTS

BLACKCURRANT QUICK FACTS

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: dark purple to black berries
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none

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

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)



Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry
Other Names: european black currant