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Close-up of green leaves with small pink flowers of creeping snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis) against a blurred green background. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A sea of green oval leaves of creeping snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Close-up of oval green leaves and round white fruits of creeping snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis). One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A small creeping snowberry shurb (Symphoricarpos mollis) grows among a sword fern. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Growth habit of creeping snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis) at the base of a tree. One of approximately 200 species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, native plant nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Creeping Snowberry

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$14.95

Symphoricarpos mollis

Creeping snowberry is a low-growing, deciduous shrub that thrives in a wide variety of growing conditions. In late spring or summer, it features clusters of small, bell-shaped pink to white flowers that attract pollinators. As the season progresses, the flowers give way to round, white berries that persist into the winter, providing a striking contrast against its lush green foliage. This versatile shrub is ideal for erosion control on slopes or as a spreading groundcover in woodland gardens, adding delicate texture and providing refuge and food for birds and small mammals. 

  • Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial, small shrub
  • Size at maturity: 1-2' tall, spreading laterally by rhizomes
  • Light requirements: full sun, part sun/part shade, full shade
  • Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil
  • Bloom time: May - August
  • Growth rate/ease: fast growing, easy to grow
  • Wildlife support: flowers attract and provide nectar to hummingbirds, adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators; berries provide late season food for many birds and mammals including grouse, grosbeaks, robins, thrushes and bears; branches; overall plant is the likely host to 28 species of species of native moths and butterflies and it attracts and supports beneficial/pest eating insects
  • Native habitat/range: grows in forests, thickets and dry openings of chaparral, coniferous, mixed evergreen forest, and oak ecosystems, at low to mid-elevations, across Western North America from British Columbia to California and inland to Nevada and Idaho. In Oregon and Washington, it primarily occurs from the coast to the Cascades. Portland Plant List - yes. 
  • Special features & uses: wildlife favorite; groundcover; drought tolerant; deer resistant; landscape uses include pollinator gardens, woodland gardens, erosion control and bank stabilization  

Gardening with Creeping Snowberry: Are you looking for a low-growing native shrub that you can put just about anywhere? Creeping snowberry is your girl! This highly versatile shrub prefers partial shade but can tolerate pretty much anything you throw at it from intense sun to constant shade and pretty much any soil type and drainage. Be sure to water deeply, but infrequently (1-2x per month) as it becomes established. Once established, it shouldn't need any supplemental moisture. Over time, it will spread laterally, but not obnoxiously, via runners and can be cut back in winter if it becomes too scraggly for your taste. It also works nicely cascading out of containers (where, naturally, it would need some supplemental moisture).     

Photo Credits 1 & 2 (flowers, leaves): © James M. Maley, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 3 (fruits): © John A Haskins, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 4 (in sword fern): © humon, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Photo Credit 5 (at tree base): © Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC-BY) 

Customer Reviews

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Nicole W.
Habitat Garden Staple

Snowberry is the backbone of the shady backyard areas of my habitat garden. I maybe three or five of them in a large bed I created under a non-native cherry that previously only had vinca underneath and very poor soil. It has thrived and slowly spread, proving an excellent mid-story. Over the years I've added ferns and herbaceous plants forming a groundcover beneath/between - lots of oxalis, trillium and native violets.