Silver Buffalo Berry vs Alpine Currant - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Alpine Currant

Ribes alpinum

Shepherdia argentea

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Alpine Currant
Silver Buffalo Berry

Alpine Currant is a great shrub to plant along sidewalks, near building or at your property boundary as a hedge or accent species. It is widely used by commercial landscapers in parking lots and near buildings because of its hardiness, attractiveness, and pollution tolerance.

While Alpine Currant produces edible berries, they are not palatable.

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.

Alpine Currant Quick Facts

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: any
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: small, bright red
Berries: deep red, edible
Flowers: greenish yellow and fragrant
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


In row spacing: 0.9 - 1.2 m (3 - 4 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Other Names: mountain currant
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry