Common Snowberry vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)

Catalpa speciosa

Symphoricarpos albus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree)
Common Snowberry

Northern Catalpa is a striking feature tree with showy flowers, and very large leaves. Its orchid-like flowers are white with yellow and purple accents, and they have a pleasant fragrance. They bloom from late spring to early summer and can last up to two weeks, attracting hummingbirds and pollinators. The leaves are very large, ranging from 15-30 cm long, 12-20 cm wide, forming a canopy that makes it a good shade tree.

They can tolerate dry conditions as well as standing water, air pollution, and salt. These factors and its beauty contribute to its growing popularity as both a boulevard and ornamental tree in colder areas.

Northern Catalpa produces long bean-like capsules and are sometimes called the Cigar Tree in reference to this 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.

Northern Catalpa (Cigar Tree) Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 1a
Height: 15 m (50 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 9 m (30 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: white
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Berries: white waxy berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NT
Other Names: cigar tree, hardy catalpa, western catalpa
Other Names: common snowberry