{"product_id":"shepherdia-argentea-silver-buffaloberry-elaeagnaceae","title":"Silver Buffaloberry","description":"\u003ch1\u003eSilver Buffaloberry\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShepherdia Argentea\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eElaeagnaceae\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eSpokane Native\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFull Sun \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize: 6’ tall x 4'-6' wide \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrought Tolerant: Yes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvergreen: no\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFlower Color: yellow (March-April)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvides food for bees, birds, large and small mammals\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilver Buffaloberry is a stunning nitrogen-fixing deciduous shrub native to the western Great Plains and Rocky Mountain regions from British Columbia and Saskatchewan south to Arizona and New Mexico. First collected for science by Meriwether Lewis along the Missouri River in 1804, this remarkable shrub earned its common name from the buffalo that would rub against the thorny branches to shed their winter coats. The plant creates a shimmering spectacle with its distinctive silvery-gray foliage—small oblong leaves (1-2 inches long) are covered on both surfaces with fine silvery scales, creating an almost metallic appearance that seems to glow in sunlight. Young twigs are similarly silvery and scaly, though older bark becomes brown. Branch tips usually bear a single sharp thorn, and the loosely branched shrub develops a rounded outline at maturity, spreading moderately via underground suckers to form dense, thorny thickets over time. The species is dioecious with separate male and female plants; both sexes produce small, inconspicuous yellowish flowers in very early spring (often March), making this among the first shrubs to bloom and providing critical early-season resources for native pollinators—the mass of bees visiting male flowers creates an audible buzzing that announces spring's arrival. Female plants produce abundant oval-shaped drupes that ripen to bright red (occasionally yellow) in late summer and fall, persisting well into winter. The berries are sweet and delicious, especially after frost, completely different in taste from the bitter Russet Buffaloberry. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDesignated \"Special Value to Native Bees\" by Xerces Society for attracting large numbers of early-emerging native bees. Provides ideal cover and nesting sites for many bird species due to thorny, dense structure. Preferred food source for numerous songbirds including Sharp-tailed Grouse. Seeds dispersed in droppings of birds and ungulates throughout landscapes. Important browse source for big game animals including deer, elk, and pronghorn, as well as rodents. Berries consumed by birds primarily during winter when other food sources are depleted. Thorny thickets create impenetrable protective shelter for ground-nesting birds and small mammals. Nitrogen-fixing capability (via Frankia bacteria on roots) enriches soil for surrounding plant communities. Forms valuable wildlife corridors when planted in multi-row windbreak belts. Exceptionally valuable for pollinators due to early bloom time when few other flowers are available. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNative peoples and early settlers harvested the nutritious berries extensively, often drying them for winter storage or processing them similarly to currants. The berries are high in vitamin C, contain antioxidants and dietary fiber, and can be eaten fresh (especially after frost), dried, or cooked into jellies, jams, pies, and preserves. Note that raw berries contain small amounts of saponin (which cooking breaks down), so first-time consumers should eat small quantities to assess tolerance. The leaves can be harvested for tea. The extremely hard wood has been used for various implements. The species has significant cultural importance in Great Plains communities and remains valued in traditional foodways. Today it's recognized for outstanding ornamental qualities including the grayish-green shimmering foliage and bright red fruit displays in fall and winter, though thorns and moderate suckering may limit use in some urban settings. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSilver Buffaloberry is exceptionally well-suited for windbreaks (ideal for outside rows of multi-row belts, or as low dense barriers in single-row plantings), hedgerows, wildlife habitat gardens, pollinator gardens, xeriscapes, native plant gardens, prairie restorations, and difficult sites with poor soils. This extraordinarily hardy shrub thrives in conditions that defeat most plants: extreme cold (hardy to Zone 2), intense heat, drought, wind, alkaline soils, saline soils, infertile soils, rocky sites, and even seasonal flooding or standing water. The nitrogen-fixing ability (via symbiotic Frankia bacteria) makes it invaluable for soil improvement and rehabilitation of degraded sites. Plant in seasonally flooded riparian spots or dry uplands with equal success. However, avoid wet, poorly-drained sites where roots stay constantly saturated. The moderate to high suckering tendency allows gradual expansion to form protective thickets—excellent for large-scale habitat projects but potentially problematic in small formal gardens unless managed. Both male and female plants are needed for fruit production; plant at minimum one male for every seven females for good pollination. The grayish-green foliage creates stunning textural contrast in mixed plantings. Use in food forests, alley cropping systems, shelterbelts across prairies, reclamation sites, and anywhere rapid establishment of wildlife cover is needed. Pair with Big Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), Bitterbrush (Purshia tridentata), Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus), Rocky Mountain Juniper (Juniperus scopulorum), native bunchgrasses, and other Great Plains and Rocky Mountain species. Provide full sun and well-drained to occasionally wet soils; tolerates sandy, gravelly, and alkaline conditions. Extremely low maintenance once established—no supplemental irrigation or fertilizer needed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb id=\"docs-internal-guid-34a7484b-7fff-7f72-fa85-7d88a3478f40\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0774\/5440\/9961\/files\/Screenshot_2025-12-17_192118.png?v=1766028098\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Tanager, LLC","offers":[{"title":"40 cu in","offer_id":49965683376361,"sku":null,"price":10.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"2 gallon","offer_id":49965683441897,"sku":null,"price":22.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0774\/5440\/9961\/files\/Shepherdia_Argentea_-_Silver_Buffaloberry_-_berries.png?v=1766876945","url":"https:\/\/www.tanagergreenhouse.com\/products\/shepherdia-argentea-silver-buffaloberry-elaeagnaceae","provider":"Tanager, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}