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Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

snowberry

A vigorous, thicket-forming deciduous shrub, up to 3m high, with broadly oval-shaped dark blue-green leaves held in pairs along the stems; occasionally some are lobed. Short clusters of small pink bell-shaped flowers are produced in early summer; these are followed by tight clusters of large white berries that persist into winter. Spreads by suckering

Synonyms
Symphoricarpos rivularis
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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Green
Autumn Green Yellow White
Winter White
Position
  • Full shade
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus

Symphoricarpos are twiggy deciduous shrubs, sometimes suckering, with small, simple leaves and tiny bell-shaped pink or white flowers, followed by juicy white pink or purple berries

Name status

Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Tolerates most soils and conditions, tolerant of pollution. Spreads vigorously; has potential to become a nuisance if suckering is not managed

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn, or by division, transplanting rooted offsets in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Banks and slopes
Pruning

Pruning group 1 or 2 after flowering. Remove suckers in winter

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal leaf spots, powdery mildews, rust diseases, stem galls and honey fungus (rarely)

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