Shepherdia argentea

RHS Plant Profile
silverberry

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silverberry RHS
silverberry Dorling Kindersley Ltd

Other common names

beef suet tree, buffalo berry, rabbit berry, silver buffaloberry

Shrubs

An upright, often tree-like, bushy deciduous shrub with oblong leaves covered in silvery scales. Insignificant greenish-yellow flowers in early spring are followed, on female plants, by bright red berries

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Elaeagnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Shepherdia are evergreen or deciduous shrubs or small trees, with oval or oblong leaves. Small flowers appear in spring before the leaves, male and female on separate plants, followed by colourful berries on female plants
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N & W North America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil in full sun. Tolerates poor, dry soils and exposed coastal conditions. Both male and female plants must be grown together for fruit

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by greenwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Low Maintenance

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free