Western Sand Cherry vs Canadian Buffaloberry - TreeTime.ca

Western Sand Cherry vs Canadian Buffaloberry

Prunus pumila var besseyi

Shepherdia canadensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Western Sand Cherry
Canadian Buffaloberry

Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.

Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.

Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.

Canadian Buffalo Berry is a native deciduous shrub found throughout North America. This hardy, medium-sized shrub will tolerate poor soil conditions and produces attractive, edible–though very bitter–red fruit.

Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Canadian Buffaloberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Foliage: grey-green
Foliage: dark green with silver undersides
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: tiny, red
Berries: small purple cherries
Berries: red bitter berries (edible)
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: SK, MB, ON
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: canada buffalo berry, canada buffaloberry, canadian buffaloberry, foam berry, foamberry, russet buffaloberry, soap berry, soapberry, soopolallie