Also known as soapberry. Widely adapted nitrogen fixing shrub with small yellow flowers and juicy red berries. Russet buffaloberry differs from regular Buffaloberry in that this shrub is thornless, but the berries, while edible, are more bitter. This species is native to Washington along Puget Sound and is also found in Coastal Alaska and Western British Columbia, though it is more common in the Intermountain West.
ZONE: 2-7
POLLINATION/BLOOM TIME: Small yellow flowers in April. These can be male or female seedlings so plant 2 or more for cross pollination.
RECOMMENDED GROWING AND CARE:
Full sun, This plant can tolerate extremes of cold, wind, drought, alkalinity and poor soils, fixing nitrogen much like peas or beans. Summer prune for airflow and ease of harvest.
SIZE AT MATURITY: To 3-13', depending on conditions