Common Snowberry vs Bunchberry - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs Bunchberry

Cornus canadensis

Symphoricarpos albus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

SOLD OUT

Bunchberry
Common Snowberry

The Bunchberry, or Quatre-Temps as it is commonly known in Quebec, is an excellent ornamental plant to have in your garden. With star-shaped white flowers in spring and clusters of bright red berries in the fall, this is one of the most refined and hardy groundcovers available. The foliage has ornamental value, with leaves going from a deep green in the spring and summer to a beautiful brick-red in the fall.

Bunchberry is a spreading evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. This plant is not well suited for urban areas close to streetsides, as it is quite intolerant to pollution. It is Canada’s national flower.

According to a poll done by the Master Gardeners of Ontario, it is one of the most recognizable Canadian flowers.

Its flowers grow with elastic petals and "fire" its pollen with the force of 2000-3000 times the force of gravity.

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.

Bunchberry Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.2 m (0.6 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Light: any
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Fall colour: brick red
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: white
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Berries: small, red
Berries: white waxy berries
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: August/September
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: common snowberry