Western Chokecherry vs Northern Bush Honeysuckle - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Bush Honeysuckle
Western Chokecherry

The Northern Bush Honeysuckle is a small, dense, deciduous shrub. The trumpet-like yellow flowers bloom late spring to early summer. Dark green leaves turn yellow then red in the fall. The flower nectar has a sweet honey taste that can be sucked out of the flower.

Because of its aggressive suckering habit, the Northern Bush Honeysuckle makes a great hedge, shrub border, or thicket in a woodland garden.

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.

Northern Bush Honeysuckle Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
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: shade, partial shade
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: very fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: low


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


Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: low bush honeysuckle
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry