Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus

RHS Plant Profile

snowberry

Synonyms

Symphoricarpos rivularis

Shrubs

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

Position

Full shade, Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 2.5-4 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

Full shade Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: 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)