Western Snowberry vs Burning Bush - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs Burning Bush

Euonymus alatus

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Burning Bush
Western Snowberry

Burning Bush is a unique shrub whose leaves turn firey red in the fall. You can plant it in rows to make a hedge or on its own. Burning Bush requires little maintenance and thrives in just about any kind of soil, which makes it a good choice for inexperienced growers. Plant it in full sun to get its best fall color.

Note: Burning Bush is considered an invasive species in eastern North America. Please plant the right tree in the right place.

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.

Burning Bush Quick Facts

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 1a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high


Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Fall colour: fiery red
Flowers: yellow-green
Flowers: pinkish white
Berries: reddish purple
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: winged burning bush, winged euonymus, winged spindle
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry