Western Chokecherry vs Western Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Western Snowberry

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Western Snowberry
Western Chokecherry

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 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 Snowberry Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99
Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Flowers: pinkish white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: low



Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry