Western Snowberry

Scientific name

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Description

Western Snowberry is a short, hardy, deciduous shrub that grows up to 1 m in height. This plant may also be known by the common name Wolfberry. The twigs are reddish-brown becoming thin, gray, and begin to split with age. The leaves are small, dark or blueish green colored, oval shaped, round, oppositely arranged, and have entire margins. The flowers are pale pink to white colored, bell shaped with 5 lobes and 5 stamens, appear in tight spikes of 6-20 flowers, and bloom between June and August. These flowers produce small, round, white berries that persist throughout the winter. The berries are beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals. The

Planting conditions

Western Snowberry grows best in normal to moist conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It prefers well-drained, sand or loam soil types. It is also tolerant to poorly drained clay soil. It is tolerant of acidic or alkaline pH, nutrient poor or rich soil, and periodically flooded areas. It is tolerant of drought but young plants should be watered occasionally until established. This shrub can be naturally found in meadows, prairies, open forests, and along river or lake shoreline.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 1.5m
  • Max 2m
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Flood Tolerant
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Clay
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 2a
  • 2b
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 1 m
• Spread:
  • 1 m