Symphoricarpos albus

Common Snowberry

Tips for Homeowners:

This shrub does spread by suckering and will colonize rather aggressively which to slow it down would require removing the suckers.  Remove dead or diseased parts of the shrub on a regular basis due to disease issues.

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Common snowberry is attractive in late summer when the berries begin to appear and when the wildlife come to visit.

  • Showy white fruit September through November
  • Good shade tolerance
  • Fruit is poisonous to humans

Best grown in a wildlife garden away from the main stream of human traffic.

Height: 3-6 ft
Spread: 3-6 ft
Zone: 2-7
Color: White

Interesting Notes about Common Snowberry:

While this shrub is hardy and not particularly demanding, it does have some questionable attributes.  The white berries are poisonous to humans and this shrub does need lots of space to grow because of its suckering habit.  It does however, provide food and shelter to wildlife and is excellent for erosion control.  Diseases are also an issue and to alleviate the problem does require extra maintenance.


Characteristics & Attributes

Attributes:

  • Attractive fruit
  • Fast Growing
  • Mass Planting
  • Spring Bloomer
  • Naturalizing

Foliage Color:

  • Green

Exposure:

  • Full Sun
  • Partial Sun

Attracts Wildlife:

  • Attracts Butterflies
  • Attracts Pollinators
  • Attracts Humming-birds

Habit:

  • Upright

Season of Interest (Flowering):

  • Summer
  • Fall

Soil Moisture:

  • Average Water