Snowberry Shrub

Snowberry shrub is a deciduous shrub that belongs to Caprifoliaceae or the Honeysuckle family. Many species of this shrub are categorized under Symphoricarpos genus. Symphoricarpos albus, also known as common snowberry, is one of the most common varieties of this shrub. It is native to parts of North America. It gets its name from the snow-white berries that it produces. Due to its beautiful foliage, flowers and berries, the snowberry bush is grown in residential or commercial spaces by many landscaping artists to add visual interest. Hummingbirds are attracted to this shrub, so, if you have this shrub in your garden, you will surely get to see hummingbirds flitting around its twiggy branches and the snow-white flowers. Here are some facts about this shrub and instructions on how to care for this shrub.

Facts about Snowberry

As you already know, many birds are attracted to this shrub, so not only is this shrub a great choice for the gardening enthusiasts, but also for those who enjoy watching birds. Since this landscaping shrub has a dense growth and an excellent root system, this shrub is also planted for the purpose of soil preservation. It has a dark green oval-shaped foliage. The leaves are about 2-4 centimeters in size. The leaves are arranged as opposite pairs along the stem. The flowers are snowy-white with a tinge of pink. The bloom season starts from June and persists through the month of September. The berries that the common snowberry bush produces are also referred to as ice apples. The berries make an appearance during the fall and persist through the winter season. Though all birds might not enjoy eating these berries, birds such as pheasant, quail and grouse enjoy eating these ice apples. There are other varieties of this deciduous shrub that produce pink berries. These are referred to as coralberry. The common snowberry can grow up to a height of five to six feet. While the berries look very attractive, these contain a substance called saponin. Ingesting raw berries could cause dermatitis, dizziness and vomiting. So, if you have small children in your home, make sure that these berries are not within the reach of your children.

Caring for Snowberry

If you are thinking about growing this shrub in your garden, then you must find out more about the ideal conditions required for the growth of this shrub. Not only is this a fast growing shrub, it is quite hardy as well. While it grows well in full sun, it will also survive in partial shade. As far as the soil requirements are concerned, make sure that the soil is well-drained. Ideally, the soil pH must be in the range of 6.8 to 7.7. It can grow well in loamy or sandy soil. While planting the root ball in the soil, make sure that you don't plant it too deep. The width of the planting hole should be double the width of the root ball. Though you must water it regularly during the first growth season, refrain from over-watering. Mulching is also an important aspect of snowberry care. Make sure that you add a thick layer of mulch. This is to control the growth of weeds. Make sure that the mulch doesn't cover the trunk of this shrub. This shrub is also grown for the purposes of landscaping. It can be used in shrub borders, hedges or as a ground cover, but for it to look attractive, one must pay attention to pruning. Since this bush has dense and twiggy branches, make sure that you prune the interiors properly.

The snowberry shrub is hardy plant, so it will grow well even with a little care. It is easy to grow and maintain. While this shrub will produce beautiful flowers and berries, you will also have the pleasure of seeing beautiful birds hovering around this bush. So what are you waiting for? Plant this beautiful shrub in your garden soon!