Symphoricarpos albus

– Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

– Berries are eaten by birds, especially grouse, quail, and robins

– Provides cover and nesting habitat for small birds and mammals

– Larval host plant for some moth and butterfly species

– Spring: New leaf emergence and flowering

– Summer: Foliage matures; fruit begins forming

– Fall: Snow-white berries persist after leaves fall

– Winter: Bare stems with decorative white berries, often lasting into early winter

– Naturalized and woodland plantings – erosion control – wildlife habitat – restoration projects – informal hedges – native plant gardens – winter interest

– Opposite, oval to rounded leaves

– Soft green, slightly bluish, with smooth or slightly toothed edges

– Deciduous, dropping leaves in fall

– Often displays a soft yellow fall color

– Small, bell-shaped white to pinkish flowers

– Appear in clusters in late spring to early summer

– Modest in appearance but highly attractive to pollinators

– Site selection: Choose a location with full sun to part shade; performs well in both open and lightly wooded areas

– Soil requirements: Tolerates a wide range – from sandy to clay, but prefers well-drained, loamy soil

– Soil pH: Tolerates acidic to alkaline soils

– Planting depth: Plant with the crown at soil level

– Spacing: Space 3–6 feet apart, depending on use (mass plantings vs. individual specimens)

– Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds

– Best planting time: Spring or fall

– When: Late winter or early spring before new growth

– How: Prune to shape, remove dead wood, or rejuvenate by cutting back old stems to the ground

– Responds well to renewal pruning every 2–3 years to maintain vigor

– Can be aggressively pruned if needed to control spread

– Low to moderate water needs

– Drought-tolerant once established

– Performs well in dry slopes or restoration sites, but also tolerates occasional wet soils

– Grows in full sun to part shade

– Best fruit production and denser growth occur in full sun

– Not edible for humans – berries are mildly toxic if ingested

– Historically used for crafts and decoration, not culinary use

– Native peoples used parts of the plant medicinally (not recommended for modern ingestion)

– Generally not required in naturalized or average garden soil

– In poor soils, a light compost top-dressing in spring can boost growth

– Avoid heavy fertilization, which can lead to lanky stems

– Self-fertile

– Pollinated by bees, flies, and other insects

– Blooms are small but nectar-rich and valuable for pollinators

– Amelanchier alnifolia – native shrub with spring blooms and summer berries

– Ribes sanguineum – early-blooming native that thrives in similar habitats

– Mahonia aquifolium – for evergreen texture and pollinator value

– Cornus sericea – red stems provide contrast in winter

– Ferns or native grasses – for textural ground-level interest