Western Chokecherry vs Sour Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Sour Cherry

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Prunus cerasus

Western Chokecherry
Sour Cherry

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.

Sour Cherry is cold-hardy and typically grows as a small tree. In late spring, it produces clusters of fragrant white blossoms that mature into bright red, tart fruit. Although the cherries can be eaten fresh, they are most commonly used in baking and preserves.

While not native to North America, Sour Cherry serves as a larval host plant for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus), a butterfly native to eastern North America.

Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting near additional cherry trees for cross-pollination can increase yields.

This Sour Cherry is produced from seed collected from an Evans Cherry and is not clonally reproduced.

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Sour Cherry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $8.99 - SAVE UP TO 10%
Lowest Price: $10.99 - SAVE UP TO 8%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium

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: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry