Silver Buffaloberry
Shepherdia argentea
- Stay Protected with Plant Sentry ™
Silver Buffaloberry is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry is designed to protect both consumers and the nursery trade from invasive plant pests and diseases. Sites that display the Plant Sentry protection badge are protected from consumers buying and nurseries shipping material carrying invasive pests and diseases.
This proprietary eCommerce software prevents the shipment of a restricted plant to each state. The Plant Sentry system includes a shipment certification program. The Plant Sentry Compliance Officer works closely with NatureHills.com and each nursery or fulfillment center to ensure only compliant plants are sold to customers.
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Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Shipping
To obtain a more accurate shipment time-frame, simply enter your zip code in the “Find Your Growing Zone” box to the right. Our plants are grown all over the country and lead time on items may be different because of this. Once your order is placed, you will also receive the specific shipment time-frame information as part of your order confirmation. Once an item ships, you will receive shipment notification and tracking numbers, so you can follow along while your plant travels to your doorstep. We use FedEx, UPS, or USPS at our discretion.
Due to winter weather we have put a hold on shipping to the areas shown below in grey. You can still order now and we will ship the plant to you during an appropriate time for your zone.
Standard Shipping Rates
At Nature Hills we handle, package and ship the products you order with the utmost care to ensure healthy delivery. Shipping and handling charges are calculated based on the tables below. Please note that some items include an additional handling surcharge, these will be noted on the item's product page.
From | To | S&H |
---|---|---|
$0 | $19.99 | $24.99 |
$20 | $49.99 | $29.99 |
$50 | $69.99 | $34.99 |
$70 | $99.99 | $39.99 |
$100 | $129.99 | $44.99 |
$130 | $149.99 | $48.99 |
$150 | $150+ | Approx 28% |
Click here to see our full rates
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
Silver Buffaloberry highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateMedium
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Flower Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Fragrant
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodEarly Spring, Late Spring

Growing Zones 2-8
Superfood from a Super Shrub: The Silver Buffaloberry
- Silver-Sheened Foliage
- Excellent Screen
- U.S. Native
- Drought Tolerant
- Bright Red Berries
- Easy to Grow
The Silver Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea) is one of those garden enigmas that offers everything a garden wants but with a twist. The Buffaloberry's tart fruit is considered one of the most beneficial superfoods you can find--of course, there's the twist--picking them requires a superpower, or at least super-strong leather gloves. What else makes this rarely offered shrub a garden winner? It offers unique silver hues, and it's extreme drought tolerant and spreads wide without getting too tall.
The Silver Buffaloberry is a rugged beauty. With broad silver leaves, brilliant cranberry-colored berries, and dramatic spines this shrub is truly a sight to behold. Its verdant, long, ovular leaves with their silver hairs and vibrant clusters of semi-transparent berries contrast well against the Silver Buffaloberry's silver bark.
What does Silver Buffaloberries taste like? If you're brave enough to harvest these petite and juicy berries, you'll be gifted with one of the most unique treats you will eat. These berries offer a puckering punch of sour goodness when picked in summer. While you likely can't handle more than a few at a time fresh, if you do eat too many, you may find yourself with a tummy ache.
To take advantage of the Buffaloberry's Vitamin C and lycopene (a super-antioxidant), we recommend letting your berries hang out unpicked until after your first frost. This time allows them to develop more sugars. They are also traditionally used to make jam, relish, candy, and sweet beverages.
If you are looking for a chance to produce berries, you will want to order several bushes, since they do require a pollinating partner. Not so interested in the berries? That's ok. Your local wildlife will love them.
As for its place in your landscape, the Silver Buffaloberry makes a great choice for poor soils and anywhere you want to restore native beauty. This shrub creates an impassable thicket, so it can be utilized as a screen, windbreak, or erosion control.
The Silver Buffaloberry is not picky when it comes to conditions. It doesn't mind wet or dry soil, nor does it have a preference when it comes to sun levels.
You don't have to be a health nut to see the value in the Silver Buffaloberry. Of course, if you are looking for your opportunity to enjoy berries that America's First Peoples have enjoyed for years, the Silver Buffaloberry is your ticket to health and unique flavor. Order yours today!