Symphoricarpos × doorenbosii 'Mother of Pearl'

RHS Plant Profile
Doorenbos snowberry 'Mother of Pearl'

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A thicket-forming, deciduous shrub with oval-shaped blue-dark green leaves. Small white-pink flowers are produced in the summer, followed by pale pink berries in the autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk 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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist fertile soil. This plant is tolerant of pollution and extreme conditions. Thicket forming and has the potential to become a nuisance if not managed well

Propagation

Propagate in autumn by division if suckering. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

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

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

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