The common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is a deciduous shrub that produces pink flowers and white fruit. It's a great addition to many types of gardens and is a showy, globe shape for the landscape. Hearty and rather easy to care for, if you plant this shrub, birds are sure to come for a feast upon the drupes.An important note: All parts of this shrub are poisonous if they are eaten, so consider carefully if you have animals or small children living with you.
Water young plants regularly until well established. Water deeply to promote strong, healthy root growth.
Plant western snowberry in full sun to a partially sunny spot. The best flowering will occur in a site that receives full sunlight, but the plant will still flower if planted part shade.
Fertilize the snowberry lightly just before the spring growth season begins using an all purpose water-soluble fertilizer or sprinkling fertilizer granules around the base of the shrub.
Preferring a slightly alkaline soil pH of 6.6 to 8.0, the snowberry will adapt to most soil conditions and will grow in clay, loam or sandy soils. This shrub does require some drainage and amending the planting area with some organic material will aid in increasing the soils ability to drain standing water.
Prune western snowberry during its dormant season in late winter or early spring before the new growth begins. Flowers and fruit develop on the snowberries new wood and pruning during the growth period will result in removing the summer-blooming flowers.