Close-up of white Snowberry berry (Symphoricarpos albus). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Berry-laden branches of Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
A wasp visits the flowers of native Snowberry shrub (Symphoricarpos albus). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.
Snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus). One of 100+ species of Pacific Northwest native plants available at Sparrowhawk Native Plants, Native Plant Nursery in Portland, Oregon.

Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

  • Size at maturity: 3-6' tall, 6-13' wide
  • Canopy layer: small shrub
  • Light requirements: full sun to full shade
  • Moisture requirements: dry to moist soil
  • Growth rate: fast
  • Special features: supports hummingbirds

Common Snowberry can be found growing in a wide variety of conditions. It leaves have a bluish green color, but may look very different from plant to plant, depending on the local conditions. Often they are roughly oval, but in deep shade they may be irregular and lobed. The small white or pink bell-shaped flowers appear in April to June in small groups at the tips of the branches. The round white berries, which are poisonous to humans, are a source of winter food for birds. (Portland Plant List, 2016)

 

Photo Credit 1: "Symphoricarpos albus" by anro0002 is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Photo Credit 2: Photo Credit 2: Tara Lemezis, Tiny Seed Photography

Photo Credit 3: "Wespe an Gewöhnliche Schneebeere (Symphoricarpos albus)" by Rolf Dietrich Brecher is licensed under CC BY-SA 2. 

Photo Credit 4: "Symphoricarpos albus" by dhobern is licensed under CC BY 2.0