Silver Buffalo Berry vs Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry)

Shepherdia argentea

Lonicera caerulea Honey Bee

Silver Buffalo Berry
Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry)

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.

Honey Bee Haskap produces tarter fruit than the Aurora and Borealis varieties and is known for bearing fruit at a younger age. The flavour of Haskaps is generally described as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Honey Bee Haskaps are well suited to fresh eating, freezing, baking, and preserves.

The Honey Bee Haskap has stronger fruit holds than other varieties so the berries stay on the bush longer. The berries do not roll well so they are not recommended for mechanical harvesting.

Cross-pollination is required for Haskaps to set fruit. They need to be planted with a compatible variety. Compatibility is influenced by both bloom time and genetics.

Honey Bee Haskap is an early-pollinating variety and pairs well with Aurora, Borealis, Tundra, and Indigo Gem.

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $2.99 - SAVE UP TO 50%
Lowest Price: $7.99 - SAVE UP TO 36%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: elongate blue berries ripen in late June. Delicate skinned, tarter than Borealis and Tundra Haskaps
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