Common Snowberry vs White Meadowsweet - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs White Meadowsweet

Spiraea alba

Symphoricarpos albus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

White Meadowsweet
Common Snowberry

White Meadowsweet is a woody, deciduous shrub that begins to bloom in early summer with small white and pink flowers. Its foliage turns from a light green into an attractive golden-yellow later in the fall.

The White Meadowsweet, also known as Mead-Wort or Bride-Wort, is favored by birds and butterflies but is largely ignored by deer. They produce small brown berries in the summer, and while they are technically edible, they are not sweet and are more desired by wildlife.

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.

White Meadowsweet Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $12.99
Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none


Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Fall colour: golden yellow
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: white, small
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Berries: white waxy berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NT
Other Names: mead wort, meadowsweet, narrowleaf meadowsweet, pale bridewort, pipestem
Other Names: common snowberry