Symphoricarpos albus (Common Snowberry)

Noted for its very ornamental, pure white, waxy berries, Symphoricarpos albus (Snowberry) is a thicket-forming, deciduous shrub with upright to arching branches that is amazingly adaptable and undemanding. In early summer, a profusion of small, bell-shaped, white to pink flowers are borne in clusters in the leaf axils. Inconspicuous, they greatly interest butterflies, hummingbirds, and pollinators. The flowers are followed by abundant and attractive clusters of brilliant snow-white berries that persist well into winter. Birds, game birds, and small mammals do enjoy them in the winter months. The dense foliage of elliptic to rounded, blue-green leaves remains attractive from spring to frost but provides little fall color.

• Grows up to 3-6 ft. tall and wide (90-180 cm) with a bushy, rounded habit. This plant spreads by underground suckers.
• A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates full shade and a wide range of soils, including poor, dry, and clay soils but excluding wet soils. Best fruit production occurs in full sun. Drought and pollution tolerant.
• Low maintenance, Snowberry is generally pest and disease free but watch for occasional anthracnose, powdery mildew, leaf spot, rust, and berry rot.
• It attracts birds but is deer resistant.
• Excellent in mixed shrub borders, screens or hedges, slopes, and erosion control, open woodland areas, or as a groundcover.
• Prune as required in late winter to early spring
• Propagate by cuttings or by seeds
• Fruit can cause mild stomach upset if ingested.
• Native from Nova Scotia to British Columbia, south to Oregon, New Mexico, Illinois, and Virginia.