Red Elderberry vs Western Chokecherry - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Western Chokecherry

Sambucus racemosa

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Red Elderberry
Western Chokecherry

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 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 Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

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

Toxicity: toxic to humans

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Flowers: white
Berries: bright red berries
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: red elder
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry