Silver Buffalo Berry vs Jahns Prairie Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Jahns Prairie Gooseberry

Shepherdia argentea

Ribes oxyacanthoides Jahns Prairie

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

CUSTOM GROW

Silver Buffalo Berry
Jahns Prairie Gooseberry

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.

Jahns Prairie Gooseberry produces large, delicious red fruit.

Found in the Red Deer River valley by Dr. Otto Jahn in 1984. This cultivar was found to resist insects and disease, tolerate frost, and produce high quality fruit.

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Jahns Prairie Gooseberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Fall colour: yellow
Flowers: white
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: red-pink berries
Harvest: mid to late July
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: AB, SK, MB
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry