Western Snowberry vs Northern Bush Honeysuckle - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs Northern Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northern Bush Honeysuckle
Western Snowberry

The Northern Bush Honeysuckle is a small, dense, deciduous shrub. The trumpet-like yellow flowers bloom late spring to early summer. Dark green leaves turn yellow then red in the fall. The flower nectar has a sweet honey taste that can be sucked out of the flower.

Because of its aggressive suckering habit, the Northern Bush Honeysuckle makes a great hedge, shrub border, or thicket in a woodland garden.

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.

Northern Bush Honeysuckle Quick Facts

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

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


Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Flowers: yellow to red
Flowers: pinkish white
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Other Names: low bush honeysuckle
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry