Silver Buffalo Berry vs Common Saskatoon (Serviceberry) - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Common Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

Shepherdia argentea

Amelanchier alnifolia

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Silver Buffalo Berry
Common Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

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.

Common Saskatoon is a native shrub that's famous for its great-tasting fruit. The berries are terrific for fresh eating and cooking. The Saskatoon bush itself can be quite large and produces an abundance of fruit. Saskatoons are hardy and can tolerate partial shade and a variety of growing conditions.

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Common Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2.7 m (9 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: medium


Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Flowers: white
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: purple-blue
Firmness: firm
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
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry
Other Names: common serviceberry, wild saskatoon, wild serviceberry