Red Elderberry vs Western Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Western Snowberry

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Sambucus racemosa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Western Snowberry
Red Elderberry

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

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 Snowberry Quick Facts

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Berries: bright red berries
Flowers: pinkish white
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none



Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Toxicity: toxic to humans
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry
Other Names: red elder