All Zone 3 (or Hardier) Plants
Zone 3 can be quite chilly! For those who need tough, cold hardy plants check out the options below.
Unsure what plant hardiness zones are and/or what zone you are in? Learn more HERE!
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141 products
141 products
Species: Juglans cinerea or hybrid. NOTE: Butternuts are known to hybridize readily with other closely related species so there is no guarantee on whether these seedlings are pure, though the mother trees appear very true to type.
History: Butternut is an endangered tree native to southeastern Canada and the eastern United States where they grow naturally along sunny stream banks with rich, well-draining soil. The nuts have been used as a source of food and made into a butter-like oil by indigenous peoples. The trees have also been used for making syrup, furniture, and woodcarving. Unfortunately, Butternuts are highly endangered today due to Butternut Canker which has decimated their population within two decades.
Why We Grow It: By planting endangered species, collectively we can help Mother Nature potentially find a naturally resistant variety of Butternut. The nuts are quite similar to other walnuts but with a milder flavour. They can survive in zone 2, but they must be planted somewhere zone 3 or warmer to produce nuts. The sap can be boiled to make walnut syrup, which tastes very similar to maple syrup but with notes of caramel and butterscotch.
Be mindful of the juglones in the in the roots/nut husks, they are toxic to many other species. They require a buffer of about 50'/30m from the edge of the trees canopy for juglone-sensitive plants. This article from The Garden Hoe has a helpful list of plants that tolerate juglones. However there are recent (2019) studies showing healthy soil high in organic matter and mycorrhizal fungi actually reduce the toxicity of juglones suggesting many plants can grow below juglans species in a healthy ecosystem - it will be interesting to see more study done in this area!
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum
History: Patriot was developed by the USDA and Maine Agriculture Experimental Station where it was first bred in 1954. It was selected for its cold hardiness and resistance to root rot. Patriot was released in 1976 and given its name to mark the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Why We Grow It: Patriot produces large berries with excellent flavour that are a bit on the softer side. The fruit ripens early in the season and is great for fresh eating, baking, preserving, and freezing! It is more tolerant of the cold and of wet soils than other blueberries and can be grown even in a clay soil.
History: Cupid is a part of the Romance series of dwarf sour cherry bushes developed and released by the University of Saskatchewan in 2004. Their goal was to create cold-hardy, dwarfing bushes with good quality fruit. Cupid was likely selected for its good flavour and unusually large cherries, the largest in the Romance series.
Why We Grow It: These dark red, cold-hardy cherries have a sweet-tart flavour that can be enjoyed fresh for fans of a more astringent flavour or used for cooking, baking, and preserving. Cupid has the largest cherries of all the dwarf sour cherries in the Romance series and also ripens the latest, helping to extend the season.
History: Norkent was bred as a cross between Haralson and Rescue at the Morden Research Station. It was one of tens of thousands of seedlings sent across the prairies as part of the Prairie Fruit Breeding Cooperative initiative by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in the 1960s. It was planted at the University of Alberta before being moved again to a backyard in Edmonton once the university ran out of space to it grow.
Why We Grow It: This pleasant and aromatic apple is one of the best fresh eating apples for colder climates! The flesh of this red apple is crisp and said to taste like a cross between an apple and pear.
Species: Ribes x nidigrolaria, a cross between Ribes nigrum (black currants), Ribes divaracitum (black gooseberries), and Ribes uva-crispa (European gooseberries)
History: Jostaberries were created in West Germany in 1955 by Dr. Rudolph Bauer, although attempts to cross these three plants had begun as early as 1883 without success. They were eventually released to the public in 1977.
Why We Grow It: Jostaberries are a unique cross between three plants: black currants, black gooseberries, and European gooseberries. The berries taste like gooseberries at first and transition to a black currant taste as they ripen and darken.
Species: Caragana arborescens
History: As the name implies, Siberian pea shrubs are native to Siberia but also parts of China, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. They came to the US with Eurasian immigrants who used the pods as a source of food while traveling. It has been planted ornamentally and as bonsai, and can be used as erosion control. It is also unfortunately invasive in some parts of the US.
Why We Grow It: A classic permaculture plant! Siberian pea shrubs are nitrogen fixing, very hardy, disease and drought resistant, and, above all, edible. The flowers and young pods can be eaten fresh while the older pods are cooked. The plants are also attractive to pollinators.
Species: Prunus pumila var. besseyi (Western sandcherry) x P. salicina (Japanese Plum)
History: Sapa (translated as 'black' from Lakota) was developed at the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station in the US by renowned plant breeder N. E. Hansen and released in 1908. His goal was to create plants hardy enough to grow in the harsh, northern prairies and was one of the first people to start breeding chums. Hansen had a tendency to name his native plant crosses after words from indigenous cultures of the area, choosing the Lakota word for 'black' in this case due to the dark colour of the fruit.
Why We Grow It: This small, hardy shrub produces purplish fruit with mauve flesh that has a sweet flavour with some tartness. It is good for fresh eating along with a variety of other uses such as cooking, baking, and preserving. It is also quite productive and tends to start bearing fruit at a young age!
Species: Rubus occidentalis
History: Jewel black raspberries were bred by Cornell University in New York in an effort to create productive and vigorous black raspberry varieties. It was bred in 1954 as a cross between Bristol and Dundee black raspberries.
Why We Grow It: Black raspberries are a special treat with less tang than red raspberries, and more of that musky sweetness that black berries (mulberries, blackberries, etc.) have. Steph eats these berries by the handful - delicious! This variety produces nice clusters of sweet juicy berries. The plant itself reaches about a meter high and wide. It can spread over the years, creating a most delicious fence line if you let it!
History: Little is known about this particular variety aside from that it's a Damson plum that originated in Sweden. 'Krikon' is the Swedish word for 'damson.'
Why We Grow It: Although its history is a bit of a mystery, we can certainly tell you that this is the best plum variety for very cold regions. It produces small round deep purple fruit that are good for cooking, preserving, and making jam. The flesh has a spicy, sweet flavour although some do not find it that great for fresh eating. Compared to regular Damson's Krikon Damson is a bit smaller, and more flavourful.
Species: Prunus tomentosa
History: Nanking cherry is native to parts of China, Tibet, Korea, and Mongolia, and possibly northern India. It has long been cultivated in Asia for its tart fruit which is used in pickling, making wine, juice, and jam, and as an ornamental plant. It was introduced to Britain in 1870 and the US in 1892 where it is also planted in hedgerows as a windbreak. Breeding programs in the US, Canada, and Russia began in the 1920s to make the fruit more palatable fresh but by the 1940s interest had unfortunately waned.
Why We Grow It: Although more closely related to plums than cherries, Nanking cherry is great for a variety of uses including wine, juice, jam, and as an ornamental plant thanks to their attractive pinkish-white blossoms. Some enjoy eating the tart fruit fresh as well and they are also popular with birds and wildlife. Nanking cherries are hardy and tolerant of quite cold weather, making them an excellent option for most parts of Canada.
Species: Ribes uva-crispa
History: Sébastien was developed in Ottawa.
Why We Grow It: This nearly thornless variety excellent red gooseberries that are good for fresh eating or making into pies and jellies.
Species: Hippophae rhamnoides
History: Sea buckthorn is native to parts of Europe and Asia where it has been a source of food, medicine, and fodder for centuries. These seedlings were grown by us so it will be a bit of a surprise to see what the mature plants are like!
Why We Grow It: If you're looking for a dense, fruiting bush, look no further! These cold-hardy plants are grown from seed, and unlike cultivated varieties it is uncertain whether each seedling is male or female. The nodules on their roots help fix nitrogen into the soil, and the resilient plants are salt tolerant. They can withstand the juglones from walnuts and will reach up to 6 meters tall, forming virtually impermeable thickets if left to their own devices. The berries have a wide range of uses and the leaves can be enjoyed in tea.
Species: Prunus pumila var. besseyi (Western sandcherry) x P. salicina (Japanese Plum)
History: Manor was developed at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and released in 1945.
Why We Grow It: Manor produces a small plum with skin that is nearly black when ripe and purplish-red flesh. When ripe, the fruit is quite sweet and good for fresh eating! Some prefer to pick it when it is still a little unripe and a bit firmer since it is more astringent and lends itself well to uses such as baking, preserving, and making wine. The shrub stays smaller than other chums but starts bearing fruit at a young age and is known for being quite productive.
History: Haralson apples were developed at the University of Minnesota in 1922 and named after Charles Haralson who was superintendent of the university's fruit breeding farm. It is one of almost 30 apple varieties the university has developed in its breeding program since it began in 1888.
Why We Grow It: The skin of this variety is striped red with russet dots and the flesh is white, juicy, and of pleasant albeit mild flavour. Haralson boasts excellent cold hardiness and general disease resistance.
Species: Prunus pumila var. besseyi (Western sandcherry) x P. salicina (Japanese Plum)
History: Convoy was released by Boughen Nurseries in Manitoba in 1941. Like other chums, it was bred to produce a fruit with the hardiness of the western sandcherry but the fruit quality of a Japanese plum. Convoy was likely selected for being sweeter than most other chums.
Why We Grow It: Always on the lookout for unique trees, we are happy to offer chums! Convoy is a hardy shrub that produces a clingstone red fruit with yellow flesh. It has a mild sweet flavour that is good for fresh eating but it can also be used for baking, preserving, and canning. The shrub is generally resistant to plum diseases.
History: Parkland apples were variety created at the Morden Research and Development Centre in Manitoba and released in 1979. Like other varieties developed there, Parkland was designed to withstand the harsh prairie winters and is especially cold hardy. It has become the most commonly grown apple in Alaska after it was brought over in 1985 in an effort to determine which Canadian varieties could survive in the northern state.
Why We Grow It: Parkland is a very satisfying early season apple - sweet and crunchy. It's excellent snacking or applesauce although the fruit is small (about 2" diameter) with creamy flesh and red skin. The tree is quite hardy.
Species: Hippophae rhamnoides
History: Aside from the fact that Klavdija sea buckthorn originated in Russia, little can be found about the origins of this variety in English.
Why We Grow It: Klavdija, like other Russian-bred sea buckthorns, is noted for its excellent flavour that is on the sweeter side. The bush produces good crops and, unlike other Russian varieties, boasts moderate drought resistance.
Species: Amelanchier x wiegandii (likely a hybrid of A. arborea and A. sanguinea)
History: There is little information on the origin of Isaac although it is believed to be a cross between the Common Serviceberry (A. arborea) and the Roundleaf Serviceberry (A. sanguinea). It was likely selected for its large, sweet berries.
Why We Grow It: Isaac produces very large berries with a lovely sweet flavour. Like other serviceberries they are great for fresh eating, cooking, baking, and preserving. Isaac makes a nice ornamental shrub with its rounded shape and white blooms in the spring. It is generally an adaptable and cold hardy plant as well!
Species: Prunus pumila var. besseyi (Western sandcherry) x P. salicina (Japanese Plum)
History: Dura was developed at the Morden Research Station in Manitoba and was released in 1942.
Why We Grow It: Dura produces small red fruit with sweet mauve flesh. They are good for eating fresh along with cooking/baking, preserving, and juice! This hardy shrub is generally disease resistant and is naturally dwarfing.
Species: Helianthus tuberosus, Sunchokes are also known as Jerusalem Artichokes or J Chokes
History: Little is known about the origins of Clearwater aside from the fact that it originated in Maine, possibly as a wild plant found in 1988.
Why We Grow It: Clearwater produces smooth, white tubers with a mild flavour that some say borders on sweet. This is a productive variety and the smoothness of the tubers generally makes them easier to clean. Sunchokes can be prepared and eaten in much the same way potatoes can, making them a very versatile food.
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium
History: Northblue was bred by the University of Minnesota as part of a hybrid blueberry breeding program that started in 1967. The goal of the program was to cross highbush and lowbush blueberries in order to create high-quality cold hardy varieties. Of the three varieties initially created in this program, Northblue was noted for having the largest fruit and highest productivity. Northblue was introduced to the public in 1983.
Why We Grow It: Northblue produces nicely sized, firm blueberries that store well. The berries have a good sweet flavour akin to that of wild blueberries and are great for a variety of uses. The compact shrub is quite productive and cold hardy.
History: This cold-hardy apple was developed in the prairies and is for growing in colder, northern areas.
Why We Grow It: This unique apple produces a yellow fruit with red stripes. It is a rather uncommon variety and is great for sauce. It has begun producing reliably in our test orchard the last few years, and always has a bountiful crop.
2026/2027 Staff Favourite
Our sunchokes are Zack's favourite this year! Zack has this to say about our OG sunchoke tubers: “It blows my mind how fast sunchokes grow. This particular variety has produced stalks almost 20ft high in two different locations for multiple years now. Though its tuber size is nothing to write home about, its stalk size sure is! I wonder about the soil-building potential of these giants! Not having to replant these edible tubers is such a blessing, but beware if you want to get rid of them.”
All Staff Favourites are 20% off. The Staff Favourite Discount cannot be combined with other quantity discounts.
Species: Helianthus tuberosus, Sunchokes are also known as Jerusalem Artichokes or J Chokes
History: Sunchokes are native to central North America and have traditionally been cultivated by indigenous peoples for their edible tubers. European colonizers sent samples back to Europe where it became naturalized. It has fallen into obscurity in North America but there was some success in marketing it commercially in the 1990s and 2000s. These sunchokes are the first ones we started offering here at Silver Creek Nursery! Although we do not know what variety (if any) they are, they have done quite well for us in our front garden and have been a tasty part of many staff meals over the years!
Why We Grow It: These native plants produce tasty root tubers that, like potatoes, can be prepared and eaten in a variety of ways including raw, roasted, or treated like sauerkraut. Most people can eat them no problem, but some folks do find they can get mildly gassy if they enjoy too much at a time, so if you have never eaten them before, moderation is advised. They are in the sunflower family so get quite tall and produce lovely little yellow flowers. They spread vigorously as well, and should be managed (easily done with mowing or hand pulling in summer).
The pictures on the left show Zack standing in front of the sunchoke patch by our front office! The photo was taken Aug. 7th, 2026 and they are already quite tall, but they will continue growing until they flower in September.
Species: Hippophae rhamnoides
History: Aside from its Russian origins, it is difficult to determine more about Prorachnaya sea buckthorn in English.
Why We Grow It: This Russian variety boasts heavy crops of large berries with a high oil content. Even better, this variety has relatively few thorns which makes picking said berries that much easier for the grower.
History: Generally just known as Gravenstein, it is unknown when or where exactly these apples came from but they were imported from France to Denmark in the 1600s by Count Frederik the Younger and planted at the summer residence of the Danish royal family, Gråsten Palace. As a result the variety was named Gråsten (Danish for graystone) which translates to Gravenstein in German. This apple has been popular in Canada since the 1820s, particularly in Nova Scotia, and provided the dried apples and applesauce for American soldiers during WW2. In 2005 it was declared the national apple of Denmark.
Why We Grow It: Yellow Gravenstein's excellence as a fresh eating and cooking apple makes it easy to see why it is grown in so many different countries, even if the tree is slow to bear fruit and is prone to many common fruit tree diseases (although we haven't had much issues growing it here). It has a great sweet/tart flavour and is crunchy and juicy. The fruit is a nice yellow with red striping.
History: Norhey comes from the Morden Research Station, Agriculture Canada. It was created by Dr. C. R. Ure in the 60's to survive the harsh prairie winters. It was introduced in 1975.
Why We Grow It: It seems Dr. Ure was successful since this is about the hardiest apple we've come across. The fruit has green skin that turns yellow after picking. It's fair for fresh eating, good for cooking and juicing with sweet, sub acid flavours and creamy crisp flesh. The tree has consistent, heavy crops.
History: Westland apples were developed at the Alberta Special Crops and Horticultural Research Centre in Brooks, Alberta and introduced in 1979.
Why We Grow It: This medium sized pie apple is cold hardy, excellent for the prairies and northern regions. The fruit is large and a pale yellow-ish green with red flush and stripes.
History: This apple was developed in New York in 1974. It has never achieved major popularity but remains a curiosity due to the deep red colour of its skin which causes the flesh inside to become stained pink.
Why We Grow It: Along with its visual appeal, this apple boasts a sweet, sub-acidic flavour that makes it suitable for both fresh eating and making cider. Although these apples don't store well, the fruit hangs onto the tree for three weeks which helps to keep it available a little longer.
Picture of Burgundy apples on the tree courtesy of Shannon McInnis
Species: Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium
History: Northcountry was bred by the University of Minnesota as part of a hybrid blueberry breeding program that started in 1967. The goal of the program was to cross highbush and lowbush blueberries in order to create high-quality cold hardy varieties. Northcountry itself was created in 1968 and was introduced in 1986.
Why We Grow It: Northcountry produces small to medium blueberries with a sweet flavour akin to that of wild blueberries. For those looking to enjoy fresh blueberries as soon as possible each year, this variety is an excellent choice since it ripens quite early. The compact bush is also quite cold hardy and productive!
History: Fallawater originated in Pennsylvania sometime before 1842, possibly from seeds brought by European colonizers. At one time it was quite popular in the southern United States. This variety has over twenty different names, many of which resemble Fallawater such as Fallenwalder, while others are more fun and unique like Molly Whopper, Green Mountain Pippin, and Prim's Beauty of the West.
Why We Grow It: No matter which name this variety goes by, you can always expect a large, attractive apple with a mildly sweet flavour. Fallawater is an excellent sauce and cooking apple and the fruit stores for a long time.