Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Also listed as Symphoria albus, Vaccinium album
Also known as Snowberry Bush
Climate Match for your location
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A native deciduous shrub valued for its abundant white berries that persist through fall and winter. Its small pink or white flowers give way to ornamental berry clusters that provide winter interest and food for birds.
Why grow it
Common snowberry offers reliable ornamental interest in the dormant season when many shrubs are bare, and its persistent berries provide a longer window of food for overwintering birds compared to species that drop fruit earlier. It tolerates poor soils and partial shade better than many deciduous ornamentals, making it suitable for sites where other shrubs struggle. The species is notably cold-hardy across northern temperate regions.
Watch out for
Plants may take several seasons to develop the full berry display that makes them ornamentally worthwhile, so patience is required during establishment. In areas with high summer humidity, powdery mildew can affect foliage quality, though this is primarily a cosmetic rather than fatal issue. Spreading can occur through suckering in favorable conditions, particularly if plants are pruned heavily.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: 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 Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Notable Cultivars
'Turesson' is a hardy, upright cultivar widely grown in northern regions, while 'Laevigatus' offers larger berries and is popular for its ornamental winter display.
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A native deciduous shrub valued for its abundant white berries that persist through fall and winter. Its small pink or white flowers give way to ornamental berry clusters that provide winter interest and food for birds.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Snowberry grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common snowberry offers reliable ornamental interest in the dormant season when many shrubs are bare, and its persistent berries provide a longer window of food for overwintering birds compared to species that drop fruit earlier. It tolerates poor soils and partial shade better than many deciduous ornamentals, making it suitable for sites where other shrubs struggle. The species is notably cold-hardy across northern temperate regions.
Watch out for
Plants may take several seasons to develop the full berry display that makes them ornamentally worthwhile, so patience is required during establishment. In areas with high summer humidity, powdery mildew can affect foliage quality, though this is primarily a cosmetic rather than fatal issue. Spreading can occur through suckering in favorable conditions, particularly if plants are pruned heavily.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: 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 Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar shrubs you might consider:
Enter your ZIP code to see top native species and strong climate fits for you.
Companion Planting
Plants well with
Notable Cultivars
'Turesson' is a hardy, upright cultivar widely grown in northern regions, while 'Laevigatus' offers larger berries and is popular for its ornamental winter display.