Guide And Practice

Buffaloberry

Shepherdia
The North American counterpart to Eleagnus, thriving in the harsh climate of the Great Plains!

Shepherdia argentea ( Silver Buffaloberry )
A large shrub native to North America, from Alberta to Manitoba; south to California to Nebraska. Some records include: 3 years - 10 x 10 feet; 5 years - 13 x 14 feet; largest on record - 33 x 23 feet with a trunk diameter of 2 feet. The stems live up to 32 years though the root stock may live much longer.
This plant is valued in the Great Plains as a natural hedge and shelterbelt. It can also be used for erosion control on slopes.
The oblong leaves, up to 3 inches in length, are silvery.
The yellowish-white small flowers are borne during spring.
They are followed by abundant, small, shiny red berries on female plants. The berries are valued for attracting wildlife. The berries are bitter eaten raw due to abundant Saponins. The taste is greatly improved by cooking with sugar. The berries can then be used for pies and sauces.
Hardy zones 1 to 6 ( tolerating as low as -63 F ) in full sun on well drained soil. Flood and poor soil tolerant. The roots may fix their own nitrogen as does S. canadensis. Propagation is from seed or cuttings taken during summer. As for the seed, scarifying in acid to soften the seed coat, before sowing outdoors during autumn will increase germination.

* photos taken on August 5 2010 @ Woodlands Arboretum, Clinton, Ontario







* USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Herman, D.E., et al. 1996. North Dakota tree handbook


Russet
Thornless

Shepherdia canadensis ( Russet Buffaloberry )
Similar but slightly smaller, reaching up to 13 x 9 ( rarely over 8 ) feet, and thornless. It is native to northern North America ( from Alaska to Newfoundland; south to northern Oregon to Ohio to Maine.
The leaves, up to 2 inches in length, are deep green above and silvery beneath.
The scarlet-red fruits, up to 0.3 inches, contain abundant saponin and can be used as soap. Cooking removed the saponins and the fruit are edible but still not very tasty.
The roots fix their own nitrogen.

* photo taken on Aug 4 2013 in Goderich, Ontario