Plant Detail

Symphoricarpos albus (Common Snowberry)

Common Snowberry, Snowberry, Waxberry, Symphoricarpos albus var. albus, Ice Apple, White Coralberry, White Snowberry, Symphoricarpos pauciflorus, Symphoricarpos racemosus

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 are of great interest to 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 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
  • full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in averagemedium moisturewell-drained soils. Tolerates full shade and a wide range of soils, including poor soils, dry soils, 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.
  • Attracts birds, but is deer resistant.
  • Excellent in mixed shrub borders, screens or hedgesslopes 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.

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Requirement
Hardiness 3,4,5,6,7
Heat Zones 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Climate Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3A, A3, 1A, 3B
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Aristolochiaceae
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade
Season of Interest Summer, Fall, Winter, Early Summer, Late Summer
Height 3' - 4'
Spread 3' - 4'
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Characteristics Showy, Attracts Butterflies
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow, Traditional Garden
Planting Place Banks and Slopes, Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens, Small Gardens, Wall-Side Borders, Walls and Fences