Planting and Growing the Common Snowberry

A member of the honeysuckle family of plants, the common snowberry is native to the United States. It is botanically known by Symphoricarpos albus, or by the synonyms Symphoricarpos racemosa or Symphoricarpos albus var. albus.

Common Snowberry Description

Growing two to five feet high, this branched shrub can form a thicket four to six feet wide. There are opposite leaves, small and green, with flowers in clusters. Bell-like blooms are white or pink and bloom between June and July. Fruits are white berries that will mature to a brown color. The stems are hollow.

Growing Guide

The Common snowberry can grow in any lighting or soil as long as the pH is nearly neutral. Propagate by suckers, offshoots, cuttings, or by seed. Seed will need three to four months of warm stratification for sowing in the fall. For sowing in the Spring, in addition to the warm stratification it needs four to six months of cold stratification. Suckers and offshoots are the quickest propagation method.

Distribution

This native is found growing in Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming. It is seen in hillsides and rocky slopes.

Warnings

The berries of this are poisonous in a low toxicity because of the compounds saponic glycoside and calcium oxalate.

Wildlife Attracted

Birds and small mammals like the plant for cover, nesting, and food. It is a larval host plant for the Vashti sphinx moth.

Problems

This plant can be prone to rusts, powdery mildews, anthracnose, and berry rot.

Source: NPIN