Silver Buffalo Berry vs Western Sand Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Western Sand Cherry

Prunus pumila var besseyi

Shepherdia argentea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Sand Cherry
Silver Buffalo Berry

Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.

Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.

Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.

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.

Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $2.99 - SAVE UP TO 50%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high


Foliage: grey-green
Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: white
Berries: small purple cherries
Berries: deep red, edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: SK, MB, ON
Native to: AB, SK, MB
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry