Western Sand Cherry vs Western Chokecherry - TreeTime.ca

Western Sand Cherry vs Western Chokecherry

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Prunus pumila var besseyi

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Chokecherry
Western Sand Cherry

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.

Western Sand Cherry is known for its unique, leathery grey-green foliage and beautiful white blossoms. It is a popular ornamental shrub in parks and front yards. Both you and the wildlife will love its edible small dark red to purple cherries.

Due to its small stature and spreading qualities, Western Sandcherry is suitable as an underplanting or groundcover.

Many people graft plum and cherry varieties to Western Sand Cherry and use it as rootstock. It is also popular to graft hardy apricots to.

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $9.99
Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Foliage: grey-green
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: white
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Berries: small purple cherries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Native to: SK, MB, ON
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry