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Silver Buffalo Berry vs Western Snowberry

Shepherdia argentea

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

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Silver Buffalo Berry
Western Snowberry

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.

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

SILVER BUFFALO BERRY QUICK FACTS

WESTERN SNOWBERRY QUICK FACTS

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Flowers: white
Flowers: pinkish white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high

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

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry