Common Snowberry vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs Northern Bayberry

Myrica pensylvanica

Symphoricarpos albus

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Northern Bayberry
Common Snowberry

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

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.

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 1a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no
Berries: blue-gray
Berries: white waxy berries
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none



Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.

Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub
Other Names: common snowberry