When does Bitter-berry bloom?

Prunus virginiana blooms in May and June, producing small clusters of white flowers along its branches.

What pollinators visit Bitter-berry flowers?

Bees, beetles, and flies commonly visit the flowers of Prunus virginiana for nectar and pollen during its spring bloom period.

What light and water conditions does Bitter-berry prefer?

This shrub does best in part sun with medium soil moisture, though it can tolerate brighter or shadier spots and some fluctuation in water once established.

What is the growth habit of Bitter-berry?

Prunus virginiana grows as a multi-stemmed, thicket-forming shrub often found along woodland edges, fence rows, and disturbed ground.

Is Bitter-berry toxic to dogs?

Yes. Bitter-berry is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Bitter-berry toxic to cats?

Yes. Bitter-berry is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

Is Bitter-berry toxic to livestock?

Bitter-berry is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.

Is Bitter-berry HOA-friendly?

Bitter-berry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Bitter-berry

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Prunus virginiana

Last reviewed: September 2026

Prunus virginiana is a deciduous shrub that blooms in May and June with clusters of small white flowers, growing well in part sun with medium water across woodland edges and fence rows in temperate climates.

Bitter-berry (Prunus virginiana) — Photo: (c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Bitter-berry is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Bitter-berry is listed as toxic to grazing livestock (cattle, sheep, and goats) at a severe level by the USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab). This is a livestock indicator and is separate from pet toxicity.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

144"–240" H × 120"–180" W

Bloom

May, Jun

Native to

AR, AZ, CA, CO and 38 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles, flies

Before you buy

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

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Chokecherry is a native shrub that produces clusters of white flowers in late spring followed by dark red to purple berries in summer. It grows quite large, reaching 12-20 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for larger landscape areas where it can naturalize.

Growing Bitter-berry

Grow Bitter-berry in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 144 to 240 inches tall and spread 120 to 180 inches wide. Expect moderate maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.

In an HOA neighborhood

Bitter-berry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: moderate. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Very large size inappropriate for most front yards
Tends to sucker and form colonies
Can look irregular and wild in growth habit

Wildlife value

Host plant for mourning cloak, tiger swallowtail.

The flowers attract bees, beetles, and flies in May and June. Birds love the berries, and the foliage supports many native caterpillars and other insects.

Common questions

When does Bitter-berry bloom?: Prunus virginiana blooms in May and June, producing small clusters of white flowers along its branches.
What pollinators visit Bitter-berry flowers?: Bees, beetles, and flies commonly visit the flowers of Prunus virginiana for nectar and pollen during its spring bloom period.
What light and water conditions does Bitter-berry prefer?: This shrub does best in part sun with medium soil moisture, though it can tolerate brighter or shadier spots and some fluctuation in water once established.
What is the growth habit of Bitter-berry?: Prunus virginiana grows as a multi-stemmed, thicket-forming shrub often found along woodland edges, fence rows, and disturbed ground.
Is Bitter-berry toxic to dogs?: Yes. Bitter-berry is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Bitter-berry toxic to cats?: Yes. Bitter-berry is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Is Bitter-berry toxic to livestock?: Bitter-berry is listed as toxic to grazing livestock such as cattle, sheep, and goats (severe severity) by the USDA PLANTS Database. This is separate from pet (dog and cat) toxicity.
Is Bitter-berry HOA-friendly?: Bitter-berry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

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