Western Chokecherry vs Variegated Dogwood - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Variegated Dogwood

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Cornus alba argenteo-marginata

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Western Chokecherry
Variegated Dogwood

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.

Variegated Dogwood is a small shrub that is often used in the first row of a shelterbelt, as a hedge, or for soil stabilization projects. It has the same distinctive red bark, white flowers, and berries as Red Osier Dogwood.

The key difference between the two is the leaves. Where Red Osier's leaves are green throughout, Variegated Dogwood has a white outline around each leaf, giving this shrub a distinctive look.

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Variegated Dogwood Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Foliage: variegated white edges
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry
Other Names: tatarian dogwood