Silver Buffalo Berry vs Balsors Blackberry - TreeTime.ca

Silver Buffalo Berry vs Balsors Blackberry

Shepherdia argentea

Rubus fruticosus Balsors

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Silver Buffalo Berry
Balsors 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.

The Balsors Blackberry is a cold-hardy variety that produces very large, sweet and juicy blackberries late in the summer. They are great for baking and fresh eating.

Balsors Blackberry are floricanes, primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn’t require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

Silver Buffalo Berry Quick Facts

Balsors Blackberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 5 m (18 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: deep red, edible
Berries: black
Fruit size: large
Firmness: soft
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: August
Flowers: white
Bark: has thorns
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: low

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: balsors hardy blackberry, illinois blackberry