Silver Buffalo Berry vs Witch Hazel - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Witch Hazel

Shepherdia argentea

Hamamelis virginiana

Silver Buffalo Berry
Witch Hazel

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.

Witch Hazel is a deciduous shrub, or small tree, with a short trunk, bearing numerous spreading, crooked branches.

The seeds grow in a long, wooden pod with two to four seeds per pod. Upon ripening, the pods burst, firing the seeds up to 30km an hour.

The leaf and bark extract of Witch Hazel has been used as a remedy to common ailments such as inflammation, bruises and much more for many centuries.

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Witch Hazel Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.49 - SAVE UP TO 42%
Lowest Price: $6.49 - SAVE UP TO 35%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: wet
Light: full sun
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: deep red, edible
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium

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