Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

RHS Plant Profile

coralberry

RHS 2002

Other common names

coral berry, Indian currant

Synonyms

Symphoricarpos vulgaris

Shrubs

A bushy deciduous shrub with dark green, ovate leaves and small white or pinkish flowers in late summer, followed by dark purplish fruit

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H6
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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
Plant Range: United States

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in most reasonably moist, fertile soil. Tolerant of pollution and all but the most extreme conditions. Fruits most freely after a hot summer

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn. Rooted suckers can be transplanted in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Low Maintenance
Hedging and screens
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 2

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

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