Red Elderberry vs Western Chokecherry - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Western Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Sambucus racemosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Chokecherry
Red Elderberry

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: none

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Toxicity: toxic to humans
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Flowers: white
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Berries: bright red berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, PE
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry
Other Names: red elder