Common Snowberry vs White Fringe Tree - TreeTime.ca

Common Snowberry vs White Fringe Tree

Symphoricarpos albus

Chionanthus virginicus

SOLD OUT

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Common Snowberry
White Fringe Tree

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 Fringe Tree is known for its fringe-like white flowers. It can either grow as a small tree or a large multistemmed shrub. The White Fringe Tree has separate male and female plants. Both male and female flowers have white fringe-like petals, but the male flowers are longer and showier. The female flowers give way to clusters of dark blue to black berries. These berries are not edible for humans but attract birds and other wildlife.

The White Fringe Tree is tolerant of clay soils, saline soils, and air pollution but does not do well in prolonged dry conditions.

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

White Fringe Tree Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: white waxy berries
Berries: blue to black
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Flowers: fragrant, white clusters
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium



Toxicity: berries toxic to humans

Other Names: common snowberry
Other Names: american fringe tree, american fringetree, fringe tree, fringetree, north american fringe tree, white fringetree