Western Snowberry vs Boyne Raspberry - TreeTime.ca

Western Snowberry vs Boyne Raspberry

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Rubus sp. Boyne

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Western Snowberry
Boyne Raspberry

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.

The Boyne Raspberry is a classic red raspberry, with a deep red color and juicy, sweet taste. It’s great for fresh eating, desserts and jams. It is a medium-sized shrub that produces ready to pick heart-shaped berries from early to mid summer and is high-yielding.

Boyne Raspberry is a floricane-fruiting variety, meaning it primarily produces fruit on second-year canes (previous season’s new growth). They are also referred to as summer-bearing. In late winter or early spring, cut back all spent floricanes, leaving only last season's canes.

Raspberries are self-fertile, meaning they do not require cross-pollination from another variety to produce fruit.

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Boyne Raspberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: high
Maintenance: high

Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Flowers: pinkish white
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Berries: deep red
Harvest: early/mid summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry