Western Chokecherry vs Birch Leaf Spirea - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Birch Leaf Spirea

Spiraea betulifolia

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Birch Leaf Spirea
Western Chokecherry

Birch Leaf Meadowsweet is a small, rounded shrub, reaching 3 to 4 feet high.

In the early summer, white flowers emerge with dark green foliage. Come fall, birch-like leaves turn a kaleidoscope of red, orange, and purple adding seasonal interest.

Native to Japan and Eastern Asia, this dwarf shrub attracts butterflies and is an excellent option for the front row of a shrub border.

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.

Birch Leaf Spirea Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: birch leaf meadowsweet, shiny leaf spirea, white spirea
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry