Silver buffaloberry
Shepherdia argentea
Silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–18 ft tall and 6–12 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Tough CO native, silvery foliage, edible orange-red berries (high vitamin C). Excellent windbreak. Needs male + female for fruit.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow water8–18 ft tall and 6–12 ft wideXeric / water-wiseZone 3 only (site it well away from structures)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
- Photo 2: (c) Mary Krieger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Mary Krieger
- Photo 3: (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–7
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.5
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- high
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 8–18 ft tall and 6–12 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~12 ft apart (8 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Foliage
- Deciduous
What it will do to your yard
- Hedge use
- Privacy screen
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills, riparian
Things to know before you plant
- SuckersIt suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds.
- ThornyIt is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas.
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer; minimal after. Nitrogen-fixing native, improves soil. Suckers freely.
- Fruit: wildlife (birds/wildlife).
Frequently asked questions
- Is Silver buffaloberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Silver buffaloberry is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Silver buffaloberry?
- The main things to know: It suckers from the base or roots, so remove shoots to keep it in bounds. It is thorny, so site it away from paths, seating, and play areas. It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Silver buffaloberry get?
- It matures to about 8–18 ft tall and 6–12 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Silver buffaloberry?
- Space Silver buffaloberry about 12 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 8 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Silver buffaloberry hardy on the Front Range?
- Silver buffaloberry is hardy in USDA 2–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Silver buffaloberry need?
- It needs low water once established.
- How fast does Silver buffaloberry grow?
- Silver buffaloberry is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Silver buffaloberry native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Silver buffaloberry deer-resistant?
- Silver buffaloberry is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Silver buffaloberry a good firewise plant near the house?
- Silver buffaloberry is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- Is Silver buffaloberry a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as a screen. Silver buffaloberry is well suited to a privacy screen or windbreak rather than a tightly clipped formal hedge.
