Silver Buffalo Berry vs Smooth Rose - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Smooth Rose

Shepherdia argentea

Rosa blanda

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Silver Buffalo Berry
Smooth Rose

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.

The Smooth Rose is a hardy shrub and is nearly-thornless. This plant is a vigorous grower that is covered in the summer with fragrant, pale pink and white flowers. In the fall, this shrub produces bright-red rose hips that are high in Vitamin C making them great for syrups and preserves.

The Smooth Rose, also known as the Meadow Rose or Prairie Rose, is great for attracting bees and other pollinators to your garden.

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Smooth Rose Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: green, slender, silvery
Bark: thin smooth
Flowers: white
Flowers: pink and white
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, SK, MB
Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NT
Other Names: buffalo shepherdia, silver buffaloberry, thorny buffaloberry
Other Names: meadow rose, wild rose