Canada Buffaloberry | Hardy Native Nitrogen-Fixing Shrub for Ontario – Arbresenligne

Order your plants with ease - Delivery in Quebec and Ontario
  • Illustration Shepherdie du Canada
1 1

Canada Buffaloberry

Hardiness zone: 2

$3.95
$3.95
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Out of stock

In inventory Out of stock

Important note: This plant is dioecious , meaning that both a male and a female plant are required for fruit production . Since the sex of young plants cannot be determined at this stage, it is advisable to purchase two or more plants to increase the chances of obtaining both sexes (though this is not guaranteed).

Canada Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis)

Ultra-Hardy Native Shrub for Tough Soils in Ontario and Eastern Canada (Zones 2–7)

________________________________________

Quick Expert Summary

The Canada Buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) is a slow-growing, extremely cold-hardy native shrub ideal for Ontario and Eastern Canada (Zones 2–7). It typically grows 0.5–1 ft per year (15–30 cm) and reaches 3–13 ft (1–4 m) at maturity. Best for naturalization, hedging, and poor soils, it offers silvery foliage and wildlife-friendly berries along with exceptional tolerance to dry, sandy, and nutrient-poor conditions.

________________________________________

Why Choose Canada Buffaloberry for Ontario and Eastern Canada?

A rugged native shrub perfect for challenging sites where other plants struggle, including dry and nutrient-poor soils.

  • Hardiness: Zone 2 (Ideal for Ontario and Eastern Canada Zones 2–7)
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Best For: Small yards, hedges, naturalization
  • Maintenance: Low once established
  • Key Feature: Nitrogen-fixing shrub with decorative foliage and berries
  • Native / Non-native: Native to Canada and northern North America

It adapts well to:

  • Sandy soils
  • Poor, nutrient-deficient soils
  • Acidic to alkaline soils with low moisture
  • Urban and rural conditions
  • Drought, wind, and exposed sites

________________________________________

Tree/Shrub Specifications

Feature Details
Mature Height 3–13 ft (1–4 m)
Mature Spread 3-5 ft
Growth Rate 0.5–1 ft per year
Hardiness Zone 2 (Ideal for Ontario and Eastern Canada Zones 2–7)
Sun Exposure Full sun
Soil Preference Adaptable (sandy, well-drained, poor soils)
Water Needs Low (moderate first year)
Drought Tolerance High once established
Deer Resistance Moderate
Lifespan 30–50+ years

________________________________________

Is Canada Buffaloberry Right for Your Yard?

Choose Canada Buffaloberry if:

  • You want a hardy shrub for difficult soils within 3–5 years
  • You have a small to medium yard
  • You live in Zone 2–7
  • You want native biodiversity and wildlife attraction
  • You need a shrub for erosion control or natural hedging

Not ideal if:

  • Your yard is very small (spreading habit)
  • You need a plant for shade (requires full sun)
  • You are planting in consistently wet or poorly drained soil

________________________________________

Best Uses

  • Naturalized planting
  • Wildlife habitat gardens
  • Low hedges
  • Erosion control on slopes
  • Restoration and reforestation projects

Why it works:
Its dense, branching structure stabilizes soil while nitrogen-fixing roots improve soil quality. The berries attract birds, and its resilience makes it ideal for harsh environments.

________________________________________

What Makes Canada Buffaloberry Special?

A resilient native shrub that improves soil while supporting wildlife and adding subtle seasonal beauty.

  • Spring: Small yellowish flowers appear before foliage
  • Summer: Silvery-green leaves and developing berries
  • Fall: Purple-tinted foliage and ripening fruit
  • Winter: Compact branching structure remains visible

________________________________________

Winter Survival in Ontario and Eastern Canada

Yes, Canada Buffaloberry is hardy in Ontario and Eastern Canada Zones 2–7 and tolerates extreme cold, wind, and snow exposure.

First-year tip:

  • Add 2–3 inches of mulch
  • Water deeply before the first hard frost
  • Protect from strong winds if newly planted

________________________________________

Planting Guide for Ontario and Eastern Canada

Best planting time:

  • Spring (April–June)
  • Early fall (September–October)

Spacing:

  • 4–6 ft from foundations
  • 3–5 ft between plants

Watering (first year):

  • Water deeply once per week during establishment
  • Reduce watering as plant becomes established

________________________________________

Quick Answers (FAQ)

How fast does Canada Buffaloberry grow in Ontario?
Typically 0.5–1 ft per year in good conditions.

Is it cold hardy in Ontario?
Yes. It is hardy to Zone 2 and performs well in Ontario and Eastern Canada Zones 2–7.

Does it need another tree for pollination?
Yes—male and female plants are needed for fruit production.

Are the roots invasive?
No, roots are non-invasive and beneficial (nitrogen-fixing).

Is it messy?
Low to moderate—berries may drop but are generally not problematic.

________________________________________

Compare With Similar Trees/Shrubs

Tree Growth Key Feature Best For
Canada Buffaloberry Slow Eastern Canada Native+Silver leaves Naturalization
Common Seabuckthorn Fast Edible berries + drought tolerant Coastal/dry sites+Edible hedges
Silver Buffaloberry Moderate Silver foliage Dry hedges

________________________________________

Shipping Across Quebec, Ontario and Atlantic Provinces

  • Nursery-grown
  • Carefully packaged
  • Shipped to your door in Ontario and Eastern Canada
  • Healthy root system guarantee

________________________________________

Explore Related Collections

Related articles:

Sizes of our plants

Our trees and shrubs are sold in two sizes: small (110 ml volume) and large (310 ml volume).

Volume discount

At TreesOnline.ca, the more you buy, the more you save! We offer a volume discount program that benefits our customers who place large orders! To find out the discount you will receive, based on the value of your order, consult the table below.

From $0.00 to $199.99 = 0% discount

From $200.00 to $299.99 = 5% discount

$300.00 and over = 10% discount

Delivery across Canada - Spring 2026

Delivery available across Canada. Order now and receive your plants in Spring 2026.

Nursery pickup: A flat preparation and packaging fee of $8 will be added to your bill upon pickup. Select the "nursery pickup" option at checkout on our online store.

Quebec and Ontario: Base fee of $23, plus 20% of the plants' value. Add $5 for signature.

All other Canadian provinces: Base fee of $50, plus 20% of the plant value. Add $5 for signature.

Glossary of trees and shrubs of Quebec

Questions about our terminology? Consult our online glossary .

Satisfied customers

The trees arrived as expected. They were all in excellent condition and exactly the size we ordered. We'll definitely be placing another order for next spring. All we can do for this year is hope the deer don't get too fond of them.

Sylvie Trépanier

I am very satisfied with the services and products of TreesOnline.ca. I am a biologist by training and I know Quebec's flora very well. I consider the selection of species offered to be exceptional. I received my trees on time from the delivery company. The packaging was neat and the trees were in excellent condition. All that remained was to repot them for planting later.

Jerome via Google

I'm delighted with the quality of the plants and the excellent service. Everything is impeccable from start to finish. I've paid much more for disappointing plants before. At Arbres en ligne, everything is simply perfect, and that's coming from a gardener! A truly wonderful discovery, and this certainly won't be my last order!

Monique via Google

Our trees and shrubs

Our trees and shrubs