Bitter-berry
Prunus virginiana
Last reviewed: July 2026
Prunus virginiana (Bitter-berry) is a native deciduous shrub found across most of North America, blooming with white flowers in May and June. This adaptable plant supports bees, beetles, and flies while tolerating various light and moisture conditions.
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
Browse plants for this ecoregion
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 Prunus virginiana bloom?
- Prunus virginiana produces white flowers during May and June, providing early season nectar for pollinators.
- What pollinators visit Bitter-berry?
- Bees, beetles, and flies are the primary pollinators attracted to Prunus virginiana flowers during the blooming period.
- Where is Prunus virginiana native?
- This shrub is native to most U.S. states, from coast to coast including western states like California and Washington, throughout the Great Plains and Midwest, and extending into eastern states from Maine to Georgia.
- What growing conditions does Bitter-berry prefer?
- Prunus virginiana is highly adaptable, tolerating full sun to partial shade and various moisture levels from wet to dry soils.
- 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.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Bitter-berry and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz