Resembling popcorn, the abundant clustered white fruits of this small deciduous shrub accompany the fuzzy medium-green leaves from late summer into winter, remaining for several weeks after leaf drop. The dense twiggy stems of this western North American native sucker to form a low upright thicketing plant. The inconspicuous tiny pink flowers are produced at the branch tips in early summer. The medium-sized oval leaves do not turn color in fall. The natural variety laevigatus is most often encoutnered in landscapes as it is a vigorous, relatively tall form with larger, more abundant fruits.
Tolerates most soils and conditions, including poor soils and amongst the roots and under the drip of trees. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a well-drained soil. Does well in sun or shade. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c. A very ornamental but invasive plant, spreading by means of suckers. Its flowers are much visited by bees and the fruit is very attractive to wild life. (source: learn2grow.com)
Genus - Symphoricarpos
Species - Albus
Common name - Snowberry
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 7
Height - 3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m
Spread - 5'-6' / 1.5m - 1.8m
Plant type - Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, loam, sand, well drained
Water requirements - Drought tolerant, average water
Landscape uses - Groundcover, Hedges, Mixed Border
Germination rate - 90%
Bloom season - Early summer
Leaf / Flower color - Green / Pink, Light Pink
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Place the seeds in a shallow bowl and pour warm water over it. Allow the seed to soak 24 hours. 2. Moisten a handful of peat moss and wring it out until no excess water can be removed. 3. Insert the seed into the peat and place the bundle in a plastic sandwich bag. Set the bag in an area where the temperature remains between 60 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit, and allow it to remain for 90 days. Check the peat moss periodically and if it begins drying, dribble water over it slowly until it is slightly moist. 4. Place the bagged seed in the refrigerator for 120 days. Keep the peat moss slightly moist during this period. 5. Fill a 1-gallon planting pot with a quality seed starting potting mix. Place the seed on the surface of the soil and cover it with a 1/4-inch layer of sand. Keep the seed moist at all times. Germination generally takes between 30 and 90 days. (info source: eHow.com) |