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Western Chokecherry vs Western Snowberry

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

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Western Chokecherry
Western Snowberry

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.

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 CHOKECHERRY QUICK FACTS

WESTERN SNOWBERRY QUICK FACTS

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Flowers: pinkish white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: high



Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry