Red Elderberry vs Western Chokecherry - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Western Chokecherry

Sambucus racemosa

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

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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.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Red Elderberry seeds at SeedTime.ca.

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)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: bright red berries
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Flowers: white
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.)
Other Names: red elder
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry