Western Chokecherry vs Spicebush - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Spicebush

Lindera benzoin

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

SOLD OUT

Spicebush
Western Chokecherry

The Spicebush is an unique ornamental shrub that blooms with vibrant yellow flowers and bright green foliage. The foliage goes from green to yellow in the autumn, adding fall interest to your garden.The plant is dioecious, meaning that you will need male and female plants in order to harvest it’s red berries. Berries are only produced on female plants. The berries themselves aren’t that sweet, and are mostly enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.

The Spicebush, also commonly known as Common Spicebush, Northern Spicebush, Wild Allspice, and Benjamin Bush, is named after its distinctive spicy-sweet fragrance that comes from the flowers.

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.

Spicebush Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: any
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Berries: red
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Flowers: greenish yellow
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low




Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Other Names: benjamin bush, common spicebush, northern spicebush, wild allspice
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry