When does silver buffaloberry bloom?

Silver buffaloberry typically flowers in April and May, with small, inconspicuous blossoms appearing before the leaves fully develop.

What pollinators visit silver buffaloberry flowers?

The flowers are visited mainly by bees and beetles, which help with pollination during the spring bloom period.

How much water does this shrub need?

Once established, silver buffaloberry tolerates low water and dry soils, though it can also handle occasional periods of moderate moisture near streambanks or draws.

What light conditions does silver buffaloberry prefer?

It grows best in full sun but can tolerate some partial sun, especially in hotter or drier climates.

What growth form does this plant have?

Silver buffaloberry is a multi-stemmed shrub that can form dense thickets in open, sunny sites.

Is Buffalo-berry toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Buffalo-berry as toxic to livestock.

Is Buffalo-berry HOA-friendly?

Buffalo-berry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Buffalo-berry

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Shepherdia argentea

Last reviewed: September 2026

Shepherdia argentea is a silvery-leaved deciduous shrub that blooms in April and May and does well in full sun with low water once established, often found along streambanks and dry prairie draws in the western United States.

Toxicity unknown

Buffalo-berry (Shepherdia argentea) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Buffalo-berry as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

72"–240" H × 72"–240" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, IA and 14 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Southern Rockies High Plains Central Great Plains Northwestern Glaciated Plains Northwestern Great Plains Great Plains Northern Glaciated Plains Western Corn Belt Plains Northern Lakes and Forests North Central Hardwood Forests Driftless Area

Buffalo-berry is a large, drought-tolerant shrub with silvery-gray foliage that creates an attractive backdrop in the landscape. It produces small spring flowers followed by bright red or orange berries, and can grow quite large at maturity. This native shrub is extremely hardy and requires minimal water once established.

Growing Buffalo-berry

Grow Buffalo-berry in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 72 to 240 inches tall and spread 72 to 240 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Buffalo-berry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Grows very large (up to 20 feet)
Can appear wild and unstructured
May sucker and spread beyond intended area

Wildlife value

The spring flowers attract bees and beetles for pollination. The colorful berries provide food for birds and other wildlife throughout fall and winter.

Common questions

When does silver buffaloberry bloom?: Silver buffaloberry typically flowers in April and May, with small, inconspicuous blossoms appearing before the leaves fully develop.
What pollinators visit silver buffaloberry flowers?: The flowers are visited mainly by bees and beetles, which help with pollination during the spring bloom period.
How much water does this shrub need?: Once established, silver buffaloberry tolerates low water and dry soils, though it can also handle occasional periods of moderate moisture near streambanks or draws.
What light conditions does silver buffaloberry prefer?: It grows best in full sun but can tolerate some partial sun, especially in hotter or drier climates.
What growth form does this plant have?: Silver buffaloberry is a multi-stemmed shrub that can form dense thickets in open, sunny sites.
Is Buffalo-berry toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Buffalo-berry as toxic to livestock.
Is Buffalo-berry HOA-friendly?: Buffalo-berry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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