Common snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Common snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 3–5 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun to deep shade. Shade-tolerant native; big white berries through winter. Suckers, good for naturalized areas.
Colorado nativeOn the CSU listlow to medium water3–5 ft tall and 4–6 ft wideXeric / water-wiseZones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Gavin Slater, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: (c) tomasz przechlewski, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–7
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun, deep shade. Flowers best with more sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 2–3 (keep it back from the house)
- Site uses
- Dry shade under conifers
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 3–5 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~6 ft apart (4 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Moderate
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- pink
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- foothills, montane
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelySnowberry, suckers extensively, forms thickets
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Planting & establishment
Water weekly first summer. Spreads by suckers, give it room or plant where suckers are welcome.
- Fruit: ornamental.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Common snowberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Common snowberry is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting Common snowberry?
- The main things to know: Snowberry, suckers extensively, forms thickets It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does Common snowberry get?
- It matures to about 3–5 ft tall and 4–6 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Common snowberry?
- Space Common snowberry about 6 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 4 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Common snowberry hardy on the Front Range?
- Common snowberry is hardy in USDA 3–7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Common snowberry need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does Common snowberry grow?
- Common snowberry is a moderate-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is Common snowberry native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is Common snowberry deer-resistant?
- Common snowberry is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Common snowberry a good firewise plant near the house?
- Common snowberry is suitable in defensible-space zones 2–3, best kept back from the house rather than in the area right against the structure. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
