Snowball Viburnum vs Northern Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Snowball Viburnum vs Northern Gooseberry

Ribes oxyacanthoides

Viburnum opulus Roseum

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Northern Gooseberry
Snowball Viburnum

Northern Gooseberry is a small, ornamental quality native shrub with prickly stems. You can plant it anywhere you'd plant Prickly Rose or Common Wild Rose, such as your yard.

Most people find Northern Gooseberry berries a bit tart for significant fresh eating but they are good for baking, wine or jam.

Snowball Viburnum is a popular ornamental shrub with prolific flowering. This plant is prized for its round clusters of white flowers that resemble snowballs, delighting children and adults. In fall, its leaves turn vibrant shades of red.

Snowball Viburnum is sought after as a single accent shrub, but can also make a dense hedge or privacy screen.

Northern Gooseberry Quick Facts

Snowball Viburnum Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3b
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Fall colour: purplish-red
Bark: gold to gray
Flowers: white
Berries: purple or purplish black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT
Other Names: canada gooseberry, canadian gooseberry
Other Names: european cranberrybush, guelder rose, snowball bush, snowball tree