Symphoricarpos albus, snowberry
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Deciduous Shrubs

Symphoricarpos albus

snowberry

Caprifoliaceae

Alaska south through BC, Washington, Oregon to California; dry to moist forest understories, forest edges, roadsides, and rocky slopes

At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m)
Width3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m); spreads by suckers
Maturity5 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 9
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators
Deer Resistant
Drought Tolerant
Native to North America
Maintenancevery low

Overview

A low to medium, upright to arching, colony-forming, deciduous shrub in the family Caprifoliaceae, native to a wide range of habitats across the Pacific Northwest including dry to moist forest understories, forest edges, roadsides, and rocky slopes from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon to California. The specific epithet albus means 'white,' referring to the distinctive, large, chalky-white berries. Plants grow 2–5 feet (0.6–1.5 m) tall from a spreading rhizome and sucker system. The opposite, oval to nearly circular, blue-green leaves 0.5–2 inches (1.5–5 cm) long have a smooth, glaucous texture. From June through August, small clusters of tiny, pinkish, bell-shaped flowers 0.2–0.3 inch (5–8 mm) long attract native bumblebees. The fruits are the outstanding ornamental feature: large, pure chalky-white, waxy berries 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) across persist on the bare branches from September through February or later. Toxicity: berries contain saponins and are mildly toxic to humans and pets if consumed in quantity.

Native Range

Native to dry to moist forest understories, forest edges, roadsides, and rocky slopes from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon to California.

Suggested Uses

One of the most useful native PNW understory shrubs for dry shade, forest understory plantings, and difficult low-maintenance sites where few other shrubs survive. Plant at 3–5 foot (0.9–1.5 m) spacing for ground cover or habitat planting in dry forest settings. The persistent white berries September–February provide outstanding winter interest and wildlife food for overwintering birds. Combines with Berberis nervosa, Cornus unalaschkensis, and Polypodium glycyrrhiza in native PNW dry forest understory plantings. Toxicity: advise caution for locations accessible to children and pets.

How to Identify

Identified as a low to medium colony-forming deciduous shrub with opposite, oval to nearly circular, blue-green leaves 0.5–2 inches (1.5–5 cm). Albus = 'white': the LARGE CHALKY-WHITE WAXY BERRIES 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) persisting on bare branches September through February are the primary identification character — no other common native PNW shrub produces large pure-white berries. Tiny pinkish bell-shaped flowers in axillary clusters June–August are inconspicuous. Spreads by suckers to form colonies. The most shade- and drought-tolerant common native PNW understory shrub. TOXICITY: berries contain saponins — mildly toxic to humans and pets.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 6'

Reaches mature size in approximately 5 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink
white

Foliage Colors

green
blue

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~6 weeks
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Summer
Blooms June through August, producing small clusters of tiny, pinkish, bell-shaped flowers 0.2–0.3 inch (5–8 mm) in leaf axils and branch tips — inconspicuous but frequented by native bumblebees. The large, chalky-white berries 0.4–0.6 inch (10–15 mm) develop by September and persist through the winter, providing food for overwintering thrushes, robins, and waxwings when other fruits are scarce.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pinkish; tiny bell-shaped 0.2–0.3 inch in axillary clusters; June–Aug; inconspicuous; bumblebee visited; LARGE CHALKY-WHITE WAXY BERRIES 0.4–0.6 inch Sept–Feb — most distinctive field character; winter wildlife food (thrushes/robins/waxwings); ⚠️ TOXICITY: saponins — mildly toxic to humans and pets; rewrote curly-brace prose

Foliage Description

blue-green; opposite oval to nearly circular 0.5–2 inches; smooth glaucous texture; albus = 'white'; most shade- and drought-tolerant common native PNW understory shrub; DATA CORRECTIONS: scientific_name hyphen; genus trailing space; species null

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Full Shade
Tolerates up to 10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandclayrocky
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to full shade in well-drained to average, acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. The most versatile and adaptable of native PNW understory shrubs — tolerates dry shade, poor soils, compacted urban soils, and periodic drought once established. Spreads by suckers and rhizomes. Toxicity: berries contain saponins and are mildly toxic to humans and pets — advise caution where children or pets are present.

Pruning

Remove oldest stems to the ground in late winter to maintain open form and maximize berry production. Cut suckers at the desired perimeter to manage spread. Can be cut back hard to rejuvenate — resprouts readily.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans