Western snowberry
Symphoricarpos occidentalis
Western snowberry (Symphoricarpos occidentalis) is a Colorado-native shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide, needs low water, and prefers part. White berries persist into winter; very tough soil-stabilizing native; suckers aggressively.
Colorado nativelow water2–4 ft tall and 4–8 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Symphoricarpos occidentalis
- Variety / cultivar
- (species)
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- part
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Good for
- slope, under conifer
Planting & establishment
Aggressive thicket-former — best for naturalized areas, not small formal beds.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Western snowberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Western snowberry is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Western snowberry get?
- It matures to about 2–4 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide.
- How much water does Western snowberry need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Western snowberry native to Colorado?
- Yes — it is a Colorado native.
