Common Snowberry vs Western Chokecherry - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs Western Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Symphoricarpos albus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Western Chokecherry
Common Snowberry

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

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 Chokecherry Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: none

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Berries: white waxy berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry
Other Names: common snowberry