Side by side
Snowy mespilus or black chokeberry? How to tell them apart
Amelanchier lamarckii · Aronia melanocarpa
How to tell them apart – snowy mespilus: a large shrub with white star-shaped flowers in clusters in April and sweet, purple berries in June; black chokeberry: shrub with glossy, obovate leaves, small white flower clusters in May, glossy black berries and fiery red autumn colour.
How do you recognise them?
- Snowy mespilus
- Multi-stemmed shrub with white starry flowers in April, bronze young leaves and purple berries.
- Compared with black chokeberry: a large shrub with white star-shaped flowers in clusters in April and sweet, purple berries in June.
- Black chokeberry
- Shrub with glossy, obovate leaves, small white flower clusters in May, glossy black berries and fiery red autumn colour.
| Snowy mespilus | Black chokeberry | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaves | Alternate, oval, 4–8 cm, finely toothed; coppery when young, orange-red in autumn. | Alternate, obovate, 4–7 cm, finely toothed, glossy dark green, with dark glands along the midrib; brilliant red in autumn. |
| Flowering | Clusters of white, star-shaped flowers in April, with the leaves (April). | White flowers (1 cm) with pink anthers in small clusters, May (May). |
| Fruit | Purplish-black, edible berries in June–July; birds love them. | Glossy black berries (6–10 mm) in clusters, August–September; astringent when raw. |
| Bark | Smooth and grey. | Greyish-brown and smooth; produces suckers. |
| Shape and height | Shrub, 4–8 m | Shrub, 1–2 m |
| Site | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, normal | Sun or partial shade, any garden soil, dry to wet |
| Native to Belgium | No, naturalised | No, planted |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and birds | – |
| Poisonous to people and pets | Not known to be poisonous | Not known to be poisonous |
| Pruning months | May and November–February | November–March |
What does it mean for your garden?
- Choose what suits your soil, your light and the space you have: see the growing conditions in the table.
Read on
- Plant profile: Snowy mespilus
- Plant profile: Black chokeberry
- Snowy mespilus: when and how to prune
- Black chokeberry: when and how to prune
- Identification key
Also looks like
Identify by feature
This comparison is compiled from the Bladwijzer species pages.