Shepherdia argentea

Silver Buffaloberry is a thorny deciduous shrub in the  Oleaster family. It will form thickets along moist areas such as river banks and lakes. Male and female flowers are produced on separate plants and both are required for fruit formation. Although the common name suggests that it is a berry-producing plant, the fruits are stone fruit.  Stone fruits have flesh or pulp surrounding a stone, similar to a peach or plum.  The plant usually grows up to 12 feet tall and wide but can grow taller and more tree-like. 

The stems and leaves are silvery in color and the bark is exfoliating with long spines up to 2 inches long. The small yellow flowers appear in spring and the red fruit is about 1/4 to 1/3 inch in size on pollinated female plants in fall. The fruits are enjoyed by birds and are also fit for human consumption.  They can be eaten raw but are sour or used to make jams, jellies and pies.

This plant will grow in a variety of conditions. In the midwest, it is usually along waterways or wet meadows but further west it is found growing in drier conditions and gravelly soils. It prefers full sun but tolerates light shade and is easy to grow in average garden soil. Because it fixes nitrogen, it can tolerate poor soils. Use this plant in a mixed shrub border or as a hedge.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Deer may eat and damage the branches and leaves.  Although there are no serious insect or disease issues, powdery mildew, rust and leaf spot are minor problems.