Common Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexico, Prince Edward I., United States
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus:
- Symphoricarpos
- Species:
- Symphoricarpos albus
- USDA Symbol:
- SYAL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 180 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★★☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Reported Fauna Sightings
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals, bees
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes and root crown following fire. Often increases in cover post-burn.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- adaptable to various soil types in native range
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 120–180 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–365 days
- Notes:
- Seeds have double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Germination can be erratic and may take up to a year.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds require warm, moist stratification for 45-90 days followed by 5-6 months of cold moist chilling. Cuttings are trimmed to a 5-6 inch length, with all buds, leaves, and branches removed from the basal 2-3 inches. Cuttings are then dipped in a broad spectrum fungicide and a rooting compound.
Establishment: There are variations in the protocols for both seeds and cuttings. Some protocols suggest different stratification periods and temperatures for seeds, and different treatments for cuttings. The highest germination rates reported are 98% for softwood cuttings treated with 8000 ppm IBA and 85% for hardwood cuttings.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C for 3 months, then place @ 4C for 3 months. Pulpy coat -- soak & rinse daily 7 days to remove.