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Western Sand Cherry vs Western Snowberry
Prunus pumila var besseyi
Symphoricarpos occidentalis
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
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.
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.
Western Sand Cherry Quick Facts
Western Snowberry Quick Facts
Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans