Common Snowberry
Common snowberry is a small shrub that grows as a thicket with arching branches and blue-green leaves.
Tiny white to pale pink flowers appear in summer. They turn into snow white berries later in the summer. The leaves of common snowberry are smaller than western snowberry. Birds eat the berries.
Common Snowberry
Common snowberry is a small shrub that grows as a thicket with arching branches and blue-green leaves.
Tiny white to pale pink flowers appear in summer. They turn into snow white berries later in the summer. The leaves of common snowberry are smaller than western snowberry. Birds eat the berries.
Plant details
Botanic Name
Symphoricarpos albus
Pronunciation
sim-for-ee-KAR-poss AL-bus
Mature Height
3 to 5 ft.
Mature Spread
3 to 5 ft.
Water usage
One Droplet: Water twice per month or less, once established.
Two Droplets: Water about once per week, once established.
Three Droplets: Water about twice per week, once established.
Flower Color
pale pink to white
Bloom time
early summer
Colorado Native
Yes
Natural Habitat
native to the United States
Light Requirements
sun to part shade
Cold Hardiness
USDA zones 3-7
Elevation Limit
hardy to 8,500 ft.
Performance
Common snowberry has grown well at the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. One of its best attributes is its shade tolerance, being able to grow attractively in full shade.
Its flowers and fruit are not that showy. It also spreads vigorously by suckers, so it’s a good choice for planting beds bounded by edging, walls or concrete. It can take over adjacent plants over time.
Maintenance
Remove dead branches as needed. White snowberry suckers through underground stems, so it can become problematic if planted in a place where it you don't want it to spread.