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Silver Buffalo Berry vs Oregon Grape

Shepherdia argentea

Berberis aquifolium (Mahonia aquifolium)

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Silver Buffalo Berry
Oregon Grape

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.

Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub native to North America, found along the Pacific coast. In spring, the bright golden-yellow flowers appear in clusters above the leaves. These flowers eventually give way to edible blue berries in late summer. While not a true grape, the berries appear grape-like due to their colouring and clustered growth. They can be eaten fresh, but the sour taste and high amounts of natural pectin make them well suited for preserves.

The Oregon Grape has leaves that are glossy, leathery, and spiny-edged. This feature gives it its alternate name of Holly-leaved Barberry. When the leaves emerge in the spring they are a bronze-red colour. In the summer they transition to green, followed by bright red to deep burgundy in the fall. Leaves are retained throughout the winter and colder temperatures cause the leaves to turn purplish bronze, providing year round interest to the landscape.

SILVER BUFFALO BERRY QUICK FACTS

OREGON GRAPE QUICK FACTS

Zone: 2a
Zone: 5a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: shade, partial shade
Fall colour: bright red to deep burgundy
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: blue to purple, large
Flowers: white
Flowers: yellow
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Maintenance: medium
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