Symphoricarpos 'Magical Winterberry' (Snowberry) – Berrying Shrub (3L Pot)

Symphoricarpos 'Magical Winterberry' is a snowberry, a tough deciduous shrub grown for the clusters of pure white berries that last well into winter that hang on the bare stems long after the leaves have gone.

Small nectar rich flowers open through the summer and bring bees and butterflies in, and the berries follow from late summer, colouring through autumn and often holding well into winter. That is the point of the plant: it comes into its own in November, when most of the garden has finished. The leaves are soft green and oval and the habit is bushy, upright to gently arching, at around seventy centimetres to a metre and a third each way.

Snowberry is among the toughest shrubs there is. It grows in full sun, partial shade or deep shade, on poor soil, and comes through neglect. It suckers and spreads, which makes it useful for an informal hedge, a bank or a difficult corner, and a nuisance in a tidy border, so give it room or be ready to pull up the runners.

It also grows well in a large container for a seasonal display. Prune in late winter to keep it in shape and remove any suckers you do not want. Supplied as an established plant in a 3L pot, well rooted and ready for planting out.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Snowberry
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: 70cm to 1.3m tall by 70cm to 1.3m wide
• Growth Habit: Bushy, upright to gently arching deciduous shrub that suckers
• Perfect For: Borders, informal hedges, wildlife gardens, difficult corners and seasonal containers
• Foliage: Soft green oval leaves
• Flowering Time: Summer, small nectar rich flowers, with berries from late summer into winter
• Planting Position: Full sun, partial shade or full shade. Fully hardy and happy in a large container.
• Soil Type: Almost any soil, including poor ground
• Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout Britain, coping with deep shade, poor soil and neglect
• Maintenance: Low. Prune in late winter and remove unwanted suckers.
• Seasonal Interest: Summer, autumn and winter
• Type: Hardy deciduous shrub