Silver Buffalo Berry vs Purple Leaf Sand Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Purple Leaf Sand Cherry

Prunus x cistena

Shepherdia argentea

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Purple Leaf Sand Cherry
Silver Buffalo Berry

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry provides bright reddish-purple leaves that turn bronze-green in the fall. In the spring, tiny flowers with a pinkish white hue bloom. The flowers are small, but the impact comes from the shrub blossoming all at once.

The Purple leaf sand cherry can be susceptible to pests and diseases in more humid areas; a typical life span is approximately 15 years. Not suitable for a privacy hedge on its own but is often alternated with lilacs. Often used as an accent plant that attracts birds and bees.

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.

Purple Leaf Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: any
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: dark red
Berries: deep red, edible
Flowers: pinkish
Flowers: white
Bark: dark red to purple
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)

Toxicity: the leaves and seed are slightly toxic

Other Names: purpleleaf sandcherry
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry