Common Snowberry
Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus)
Common Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is a hardy, deciduous shrub prized for its dense branching, wildlife value, and distinctive white berries that persist into winter. Also known as White Snowberry, this North American native offers year-round interest, especially in naturalized and habitat-supporting plantings.
Distinctive Features
Growing 3 to 6 feet tall and wide, Common Snowberry forms a rounded, twiggy structure with small, blue-green leaves and bell-shaped pink to white flowers in early summer. Its most notable feature is the waxy white berries that appear in late summer and remain into winter, creating contrast against bare stems and snow-covered ground. The berries are ornamental and non-edible but persist due to their unpalatability to most animals.
Growing Conditions
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Adaptable to most soils including clay and sandy loam
- Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline
- Water Needs: Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 7
Ideal Uses
- Focal point in native or wildlife gardens
- Erosion control on slopes and embankments
- Mass plantings or informal hedgerows
- Pollinator and bird-friendly landscapes
- Restoration projects and naturalized areas
Low Maintenance Care
- Prune in late winter to maintain shape and remove old wood
- Mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weed growth
- Water during extended dry periods in the first two years
- Tolerates periodic flooding and poor soils
- Cut back hard every few years to rejuvenate growth
Why Choose Common Snowberry
- Durable native shrub with multi-season appeal
- Distinctive white berries provide winter interest
- Thrives in difficult conditions including clay and dry soils
- Attracts pollinators and provides cover for birds
- An adaptable and rugged focal point for natural landscapes
Common Snowberry brings structure, wildlife value, and seasonal contrast to a wide range of settings, serving as a reliable focal point in both designed and naturalized plantings.
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