Silver Buffalo Berry vs Northern Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Northern Gooseberry

Ribes oxyacanthoides

Shepherdia argentea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Gooseberry
Silver Buffalo Berry

Northern Gooseberry is a small, ornamental quality native shrub with prickly stems. You can plant it anywhere you'd plant Prickly Rose or Common Wild Rose, such as your yard.

Most people find Northern Gooseberry berries a bit tart for significant fresh eating but they are good for baking, wine or jam.

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.

Northern Gooseberry Quick Facts

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $2.99 - SAVE UP TO 50%
Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: high


Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Flowers: white
Berries: purple or purplish black
Berries: deep red, edible
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: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT
Native to: AB, SK, MB
Other Names: canada gooseberry, canadian gooseberry
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry