American Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Zones 2–13
Growing
This hardy, woody shrub is a versatile addition to your landscape, thriving in everything from shady corners to bright, sunny spots. Because it can tolerate wet soil, it is an excellent choice for planting on slopes or in valley bottoms where moisture tends to collect. If you are looking to expand your garden, you can propagate this plant using cuttings or by dividing established clumps, though it will also naturally spread by dropping its own seeds.
When establishing your snowberry, keep in mind that it provides significant value to your local ecosystem by offering food and shelter for birds and small mammals. It is particularly effective as a structural element in a garden, as its growth habit creates dense thickets that serve as vital habitat. If you choose to grow it in containers, ensure the pot allows for the regular watering this species enjoys. Always remember to keep children and pets away from the plant, as it is toxic to people.
| Sun | full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | medium |
| Grow time | — |
| Height | 3–6ft |
| Spacing | >24in |
| Full sun | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Part shade | ✓ |
| Shade | ✓ |
| Life cycle | perennial |
|---|---|
| Category | flowering shrub |
| Growth habit | shrub |
| Frost tolerance | hardy |
| Height | 3–6ft |
| Spacing | over 24in |
| Days to bloom | over 150 |
| Native us | ✓ |
| Water | medium |
|---|---|
| Drainage | wet tolerant |
| Soil ph min | — |
| Soil ph max | — |
| Propagation | |
| Seed | ✓ |
| Cutting | ✓ |
| Division | ✓ |
| Graft | ✗ |
| Tuber bulb crown | ✗ |
| Transplant | ✓ |
| Container ok | ✓ |
| Spread | self seeds |
| Deer resistant | ✓ |
| Drought tolerant | ✗ |
| Toxic to | |
| People | ✓ |
| Pets | — |
| Livestock | ✗ |
| Length | 2–6wk |
|---|---|
| Colors | |
| White | ✓ |
| Yellow | ✗ |
| Orange | ✗ |
| Red | ✗ |
| Pink | ✗ |
| Purple | ✗ |
| Blue | ✗ |
| Green | ✗ |
| Visitors | |
|---|---|
| Honey bees | ✓ |
| Native bees | ✓ |
| Bumblebees | ✓ |
| Butterflies | ✓ |
| Moths | ✓ |
| Hummingbirds | ✗ |
| Beneficial insects | ✓ |
| Nectar | medium |
| Pollen | medium |
| Larval host | ✗ |
| Specialist bees | ✗ |
| Seed for birds | ✓ |
| Status | none |
|---|---|
| Regions | |
| Northeast | ✗ |
| Southeast | ✗ |
| Midwest | ✗ |
| Plains | ✗ |
| Southwest | ✗ |
| Mountain west | ✗ |
| Pacific northwest | ✗ |
| California | ✗ |
| Hawaii | ✗ |
| State noxious | ✗ |
| Escapes cultivation | ✗ |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Harvest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
References: Wikipedia · USDA plant guide · USDA fact sheet · how this data is made