Canadian Buffaloberry vs Grouseberry - TreeTime.ca

Canadian Buffaloberry vs Grouseberry

Vaccinium scoparium

Shepherdia canadensis

CUSTOM GROW

Grouseberry
Canadian Buffaloberry

Grouseberry is a native, low-growing deciduous shrub known for its edible red berries. In early summer, it produces small, urn-shaped flowers ranging from white to pink that attract bees and other pollinators. The berries provide an important food source for many types of wildlife, including game birds such as grouse, which gives the plant its common name. People can also enjoy the berries fresh or in baked goods, though they can be difficult to harvest in large quantities.

Spreading by rhizomes, Grouseberry forms dense, broom-like mats that help stabilize soil and prevent erosion, while also providing cover for ground-nesting wildlife. It is commonly found beneath conifers in open forests, subalpine meadows, and occasionally on rocky slopes in mountainous regions. It is well-suited for naturalization, ecological restoration, and soil stabilization projects.

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.

Grouseberry Quick Facts

Canadian Buffaloberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $6.99
Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: low growing, colony-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: dark green with silver undersides
Fall colour: reddish
Flowers: small pink, bell-shaped
Flowers: tiny, red
Bloom time: spring
Berries: small, bright red, edible
Berries: red bitter berries (edible)
Flavor: tart
Harvest: summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: dwarf red whortleberry, grouse whortleberry, little-leaved huckleberry, red alpine blueberry, small-leaved huckleberry
Other Names: canada buffalo berry, canada buffaloberry, canadian buffaloberry, foam berry, foamberry, russet buffaloberry, soap berry, soapberry, soopolallie