Common Snowberry vs Western Sand Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs Western Sand Cherry

Prunus pumila var. besseyi

Symphoricarpos albus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Sand Cherry
Common Snowberry

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 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 Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $14.99
Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


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


Native to: SK, MB, ON
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NT
Other Names: common snowberry