Buffaloberry: The Unsung Hero of Native Landscaping
If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails native shrub that laughs in the face of drought and feeds wildlife like a natural buffet, let me introduce you to buffaloberry (Shepherdia). This perennial powerhouse might not win any beauty contests, but what it lacks in flashy flowers, it makes up for in pure resilience and ecological value.
What Exactly Is Buffaloberry?
Buffaloberry is a multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) tall, though it can sometimes stretch taller or stay more compact depending on growing conditions. Think of it as nature’s Swiss Army knife – practical, reliable, and surprisingly versatile.
Where Does Buffaloberry Call Home?
This hardy native has quite the impressive resume when it comes to geography. Buffaloberry is native to Alaska, Canada, and the lower 48 states, making it one of North America’s most widespread native shrubs. You’ll find it thriving across an enormous range including Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Arizona, California, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Colorado, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Labrador, and Newfoundland.
Why Your Garden (and Local Wildlife) Will Thank You
Here’s where buffaloberry really shines – it’s like opening a restaurant for your local ecosystem. While it provides only 2% to 5% of small mammals’ diets and offers sparse cover, it contributes 5% to 10% of terrestrial birds’ diets. Those bright berries that appear in fall aren’t just for show; they’re a genuine wildlife magnet.
Beyond feeding the neighborhood critters, buffaloberry brings some unique aesthetic qualities to your landscape:
- Distinctive silver-gray foliage that adds textural interest
- Bright red or yellow berries that provide fall and winter color
- Excellent for erosion control on slopes
- Creates natural windbreaks and privacy screens
Perfect Garden Matches
Buffaloberry isn’t the prima donna of the plant world – it’s more like the reliable friend who shows up when you need them most. It’s perfectly suited for:
- Native plant gardens and naturalized landscapes
- Xeriscapes and drought-tolerant designs
- Wildlife and bird gardens
- Restoration projects and erosion-prone areas
- Food forests and permaculture designs
Growing Conditions: Keep It Simple
The beauty of buffaloberry lies in its low-maintenance nature. This shrub thrives in:
- Full sun locations (though it tolerates some shade)
- Well-drained soils of almost any type
- USDA hardiness zones 2-7
- Dry to moderately moist conditions
Once established, buffaloberry is remarkably drought tolerant and can handle poor soils that would make other plants sulk.
Planting and Care: Less Is More
If you’re used to high-maintenance plants, buffaloberry might surprise you with how little fuss it requires:
- Planting: Spring or fall are ideal times. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper
- Watering: Regular water the first year, then let nature take over
- Fertilizing: Skip it – this plant prefers lean conditions
- Pruning: Minimal pruning needed, just remove dead or damaged branches
- Spacing: Allow 6-10 feet between plants for proper air circulation
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Buffaloberry plants are dioecious, meaning you’ll need both male and female plants if you want those wildlife-attracting berries. The flowers aren’t much to look at – they’re small and inconspicuous – but they get the job done through wind pollination with some help from insects.
The Bottom Line
Buffaloberry might not be the showiest plant in your garden center, but it’s exactly the kind of workhorse native that makes ecological gardening both successful and rewarding. If you’re looking to support local wildlife, reduce maintenance, and add a uniquely North American character to your landscape, buffaloberry deserves a spot on your planting list. Sometimes the best plants are the ones that simply do their job well – and buffaloberry does exactly that.
