Western Snowberry vs Mongolian Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs Mongolian Cherry

Prunus fruticosa

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Mongolian Cherry
Western Snowberry

Mongolian Cherry is a hardy shrub that is often grown as an ornamental. This plant makes an attractive flowering hedgerow that requires little maintenance. The dark red cherries are tart and desirable for baking, wine-making, and canning. This shrub is popular with wildlife.

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

Mongolian Cherry Quick Facts

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high


Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Flowers: clusters of white flowers
Flowers: pinkish white
Fruit: tart dark red cherry
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Other Names: dwarf cherry, european dwarf cherry, steppe cherry
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry