Propagation Protocol for Bareroot Silver Buffaloberry ( Shepherdia argentea )

Silver buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea (Pursh) Nutt. [Elaeagnaceae]) can be successfully produced as a 2+0 bareroot nursery stocktype from seeds. In Colorado, we sow seeds in late fall, typically the first to second week of October. Plants will emerge by the second week of May. We apply granular ammonium sulfate (21N:0P2O5:0K2O:24SO4) during both growing seasons to meet our target specifications. At our nursery, buffaloberry is one of the first crops to be harvested; we usually start around the first of November. Once harvested, plants are graded (minimum stem diameter at the root collar of 5 mm [3/16 in] and minimum height of 46 cm [18 in]), packed into wax-coated cardboard boxes, and stored in a cooler until shipment the following spring. Silver buffaloberry is a species suitable for windbreaks and wildlife habitat, with opportunities for ornamental and landscape uses as well.