Symphoricarpos albus

RHS Plant Profile

common snowberry

Other common names

waxberry

Synonyms

Symphoricarpos racemosus

Shrubs

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An upright, deciduous shrub with oval leaves, which are sometimes coarsley lacerated around the edges. Clusters of small pink flowers followed by white fruit 1.5cm across. It spreads by suckering roots, so has the potential to become a nuisance if not maintained and should not be planted in or adjacent to the countryside

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

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

Position

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, Suckering
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: E N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist fertile soil. This plant is tolerant of pollution and extreme conditions. Thicket forming and has potential to become a nuisance

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

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or 2, after flowering. When established, prune a third of older stems out annually

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free