Bearberry vs Western Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Bearberry vs Western Snowberry

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Western Snowberry
Bearberry

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.

Bearberry is a dwarf shrub known for its creamy pink flowers and red edible fruits.

It is great as a filler in gardens and flowerbeds in place of invasive ground cover plants, like English Ivy.

Bearberry will attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to your property. It is one of the top 12 plants recommended by the Alberta Native Bee Council to support pollinators.

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

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Bearberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1b
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.1 m (0.3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, 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: small red berries
Flowers: pinkish white
Flowers: small, purple-white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium



Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry
Other Names: kinnikinnick, mealberry, sandberry