Common Snowberry

Symphoricarpos albus

Plant Description

Common snowberry is a deciduous shrub native to forests, riparian areas, and open woodlands across much of North America. It typically grows 3–6 feet tall, with slender, arching branches and oval leaves. In summer, it produces small, pinkish to white, bell-shaped flowers that attract native bees, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. By late summer to fall, these give way to distinctive clusters of round, white berries that persist into winter, providing food for birds and mammals, though they are toxic to humans. Ecologically, common snowberry is an important, incredibly hardy understory shrub that stabilizes soils, offers wildlife cover, and contributes to the structure and resilience of riparian and woodland ecosystems.

Plant Details

Life Forms	Shrub
Habitats	Bottomland forests Conifer forests Fencelines Forest edges Forest openings Forest plantations Forest understories Forests Gardens Little Habitats Mixed hardwood-conifer forests Oak woodlands Railroad tracks Residential yards Rights of way Riparian areas Riparian forests Roadsides Trailsides Woodlands
Soil and Moisture Conditions	Dry to moist Seasonally flooded soil
Special Uses	Attracts birds Attracts hummingbirds Attracts pollinators and or other beneficial insects Blooms July Blooms June Blooms May Deciduous Deer resistant Drought tolerant Erosion control Flowering Flowers pink Flowers white Good for rock garden Good for shady woodland garden Hedgerow Perennial Produces berries Produces fruit Produces nectar Produces pollen Produces seeds Provides soil stabilization Provides wildlife habitat Restoration/revegetation Woody
Shade Preference	Full shade Full sun Part shade
Mature Height	1.5-6.5’