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Silver Buffalo Berry vs Chester Thornless Blackberry

Shepherdia argentea

Rubus fruticosa Chester (Thornless)

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Silver Buffalo Berry
Chester Thornless Blackberry

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.

Chester Thornless Blackberry is a self-pollinating fruit-bearing shrub. In mid-summer, the Chester Thornless Blackberry produces large, sweet-tasting, heart-shaped blackberries that are perfect for fresh eating. It is a semi-erect blackberry plant that requires little support from a trellis to keep its fruit off the ground. Don't forget to protect your berries. The birds love this shrub almost as much as you will.

Chester Thornless Blackberries are floricanes, primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth.

SILVER BUFFALO BERRY QUICK FACTS

CHESTER THORNLESS BLACKBERRY QUICK FACTS

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3b
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: heart shaped black
Firmness: firm
Harvest: July
Flowers: white
Flowers: pink
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high

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
Other Names: chester blackberry, hardy blackberry