Peking Cotoneaster vs Common Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Peking Cotoneaster vs Common Snowberry

Cotoneaster acutifolia

Symphoricarpos albus

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Peking Cotoneaster
Common Snowberry

Peking Cotoneaster is a medium-sized shrub that is well adapted to colder climates. Best suited for use as a hedge, Peking Cotoneaster has dark green foliage that turns a stunning reddish orange in the fall.

Hardy fruit guru, Bernie Nikolai (DBG Fruit Growers), has started to recommend grafting hardy pear varieties to Peking Cotoneaster after his experiences were successful and produced fruit faster than other rootstocks. Remember to leave some nurse limbs if you try this.

Common Snowberry is a small deciduous shrub with characteristic white to pink flowers and clusters of white fruit.

This North American native species is very adaptable, and can be used for erosion control in riparian and restoration areas. Snowberry's fruit attracts wildlife, and livestock can consume the berries without issue.

Peking Cotoneaster Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Foliage: glossy upper surface
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: white, spring
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Berries: black fruit
Berries: white waxy berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NT
Other Names: common snowberry