Silver Buffalo Berry vs Blue Crop Blueberry - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Blue Crop Blueberry

Shepherdia argentea

Vaccinium corymbosum Blue Crop

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Silver Buffalo Berry
Blue Crop Blueberry

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.

Blue Crop Blueberry is a high yielding, commercial highbush blueberry variety that is widely planted. If you're lucky enough to live in a suitable climate zone, Blue Crop Blueberry is a great choice. Its very large berries taste amazing. They are very firm and store well.

While this variety is self-pollinating, we recommend pairing Blue Crop Blueberry with another Blueberry to increase the berry production of both varieties.

You must prune Blue Crop Blueberry to maintain its health and productivity.

Note: Blueberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0.

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Blue Crop Blueberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Fall colour: orange-red
Flowers: white
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: big clusters of large, light blue berries
Fruit size: very large
Firmness: very firm
Flavor: slightly tart, excellent
Harvest: mid summer
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, SK, MB
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry