Western Chokecherry vs Lewis Mock Orange - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Lewis Mock Orange

Philadelphus lewisii

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Lewis Mock Orange
Western Chokecherry

Lewis Mock Orange is a flowering ornamental shrub that produces an abundance of white, fragrant blooms. The flowers have a sweet scent similar to orange blossoms, with a hint of pineapple. They bloom for several weeks from late spring to early summer, attracting pollinators and other beneficial insects.

Native to North America, Lewis Mock Orange is found from the southernmost portions of Alberta and British Columbia, and south into the northwestern United States. It makes an attractive shrub and can be used in hedgerows, pollinator gardens, and naturalization projects. Blooms occur on the previous year’s wood, so it is recommended to prune after it has finished flowering.

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.

Lewis Mock Orange Quick Facts

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.99 - SAVE UP TO 50%
Lowest Price: $5.49 - SAVE UP TO 31%
Zone: 4a
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: upright to arching, multi-stemmed
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: low


Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Flowers: fragrant, white
Bloom time: mid spring to early summer
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: california mock orange, lewis mockorange, western mock orange, western syringa, wild mock orange
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry