Silver Buffalo Berry vs Aronia Berry - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Aronia Berry

Aronia melanocarpa

Shepherdia argentea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Aronia Berry
Silver Buffalo Berry

Aronia Berry produces black fruit that is often considered too astringent. This is why they are also referred to as Black Chokeberry. It is native to Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States. White to pink flowers appear in the spring which provides a nice contrast to the dark green foliage. In fall the leaves turn a vibrant orange to red.

It has a fast growth rate, strong roots, and can tolerate growing in wet soils. This makes it well suited for various projects including forming hedges, bank stabilization, erosion control, and in wetter riparian areas. They are also well suited as an understory plant as it grows well under other trees.

Aronia berries have their own unique flavour. The polyphenols and anthocyanins are touted as healthy antioxidants and lots of research seems to be underway on the health benefits of this fruit.

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.

Aronia Berry Quick Facts

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $2.99 - SAVE UP TO 50%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high


Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Fall colour: red to orange color
Flowers: whitish-pink
Flowers: white
Berries: small black berries, edible
Berries: deep red, edible
Flavor: astringent
Harvest: late summer to fall
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: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: AB, SK, MB
Other Names: black choke berry, black chokeberry
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry