Peking Cotoneaster vs Western Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Peking Cotoneaster vs Western Snowberry

Cotoneaster acutifolia

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

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Peking Cotoneaster
Western 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.

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.

Peking Cotoneaster Quick Facts

Western 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)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-orange
Berries: black fruit
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Flowers: white, spring
Flowers: pinkish white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: high

In row spacing: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)


Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry