Common Snowberry vs Western Sand Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs Western Sand Cherry

Symphoricarpos albus

Prunus pumila var besseyi

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Common Snowberry
Western Sand Cherry

Common Snowberry is a small deciduous shrub with characteristic white to pink flowers and clusters of white fruit.

This North American native species is very adaptable, and can be used for erosion control in riparian and restoration areas. Snowberry's fruit attracts wildlife, and livestock can consume the berries without issue.

Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.

Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.

Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: berries toxic to humans

Foliage: grey-green
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Flowers: white
Berries: white waxy berries
Berries: small purple cherries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: common snowberry