July 2024 Plant of the Month for Erie Colorado area landscapes

‘Silver Totem’ Buffaloberry

Erie, Colorado area landscapes {Monthly Series}

‘Silver Totem’ Buffaloberry, or Shepherdia argentea ‘Totem’ is a columnar cultivar of Silver Buffaloberry which is native to Canada and the western plain states through the mountains to Arizona and California. The main species grows natively along streams and riparian areas in thickets, as well as on the prairie and rather exposed hillsides. It was discovered in our local Little Valley Wholesale Nursery growing in 2008 as a columnar expression of the the main species. It has an upright columnar form with branches growing strongly vertical. It is drought tolerant, but will sucker in more moist environments. Several have been planted recently, but care was used to use weedbarrier around the base of the plant to help prevent suckering. Maintenance of suckers may be requires, so be forewarned. However, with limited options for columnar shrubs in the often tight Erie Colorado landscapes, the need for these shrubs is immense.

Tiny yellow blooms, if pollinated from a separate plant will result in tart berries or fruits which can be made into pies, jellies and jams, and are often attractors for birds late in the fall. It gets about 8-10’ tall and 3’ wide, holds its leaves late into the fall, is early to leaf out in spring, and is quite xeric or drought tolerant. They grow quite quickly as well, putting on 18”-24” per year until full grown if given drip irrigation regularly. The downsides are small thorns which might make any pruning cumbersome, and the possible suckering. It is hardy down to zone 3 so could be ideal for strong winter survival prospects along the Front Range. It you have a tight space and hot and dry conditions, try one. It might just work!

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