Western Snowberry vs Creeping Oregon Grape - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs Creeping Oregon Grape

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Mahonia repens

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Western Snowberry
Creeping Oregon Grape

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.

Creeping Oregon Grape is an excellent ground cover plant with attractive, dark green, holly-like leaves. It maintains its leaves throughout winter, which turn mauve, rose, and rust-colored. Clusters of bright, yellow flowers develop into dark, blue-purple edible berries ideal for juice or wine.

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Creeping Oregon Grape Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 5a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 0.5 m (1.5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Fall colour: purple and bronze
Flowers: pinkish white
Flowers: yellow
Fruit: large blue/purple
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Native to: AB, BC
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry
Other Names: ash barberry, creeping barberry, creeping holly grape, creeping mahonia, creeping oregon-grape, creeping western barberry, holly grape, mountain holly, oregon barberry