Common Snowberry vs Canadian Buffaloberry - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs Canadian Buffaloberry

Shepherdia canadensis

Symphoricarpos albus

Canadian Buffaloberry
Common Snowberry

Canadian Buffalo Berry is a native deciduous shrub found throughout North America. This hardy, medium-sized shrub will tolerate poor soil conditions and produces attractive, edible–though very bitter–red fruit.

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.

Canadian Buffaloberry Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99
Lowest Price: $12.99
Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none


Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Foliage: dark green with silver undersides
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: tiny, red
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Berries: red bitter berries (edible)
Berries: white waxy berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NT
Other Names: canada buffalo berry, canada buffaloberry, canadian buffaloberry, foam berry, foamberry, russet buffaloberry, soap berry, soapberry, soopolallie
Other Names: common snowberry