Canadian buffaloberry Plant Care

Canadian buffaloberry (Shepherdia canadensis) belongs to the Elaeagnaceae family within the Shepherdia genus. Canadian buffaloberry is also known as Soop, Soapberry, Canada buffaloberry.

Canadian buffaloberry displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Canadian buffaloberry produces small, inconspicuous yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Canadian buffaloberry every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Canadian buffaloberry thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Shepherdia canadensis tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Canadian buffaloberry prefers humidity levels of 30–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Canadian buffaloberry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Canadian buffaloberry every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Canadian buffaloberry can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Canadian buffaloberry while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Canadian buffaloberry can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to silver buffaloberry plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Canadian buffaloberry is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.