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Silver Buffalo Berry vs Bunchberry

Shepherdia argentea

Cornus canadensis

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Silver Buffalo Berry
Bunchberry

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.

The Bunchberry, or Quatre-Temps as it is commonly known in Quebec, is an excellent ornamental plant to have in your garden. With star-shaped white flowers in spring and clusters of bright red berries in the fall, this is one of the most refined and hardy groundcovers available. The foliage has ornamental value, with leaves going from a deep green in the spring and summer to a beautiful brick-red in the fall.

Bunchberry is a spreading evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. This plant is not well suited for urban areas close to streetsides, as it is quite intolerant to pollution. It is Canada’s national flower.

According to a poll done by the Master Gardeners of Ontario, it is one of the most recognizable Canadian flowers.

Its flowers grow with elastic petals and "fire" its pollen with the force of 2000-3000 times the force of gravity.

SILVER BUFFALO BERRY QUICK FACTS

BUNCHBERRY QUICK FACTS

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1b
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 0.2 m (0.6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: any
Fall colour: brick red
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: small, red
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: August/September
Flowers: white
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
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