Symphoricarpos

The genus Snow Berry (Symphoricarpos), includes about 20 species of deciduous erect or prostrate shrubs up to 2.5 m high. The opposite leaves are simple, usually whole-edged short-stemmed. The flowers are small, white or pinkish, with a tubular or bell-shaped corolla, collected in small racemes in the axils of the leaves. They bloom in summer. The fruit is a fairly large berry-like drupe, white, red or black. It is the fruits that make up the main decorative appeal of the plant. Common white snowberry, or carpel (Symphoricarpos albus), is an erect shrub up to 1.5 m tall. The leaves are ovate. Instead of pink flowers, glossy snow-white spherical fruits are formed, which abundantly cover the bush in August and keep on the plant until winter. Of the varieties, 'Prickly' is very much appreciated (some botanists distinguish it in a separate species called snowberry rivularis, Symphoricarpos rivularis) with large fruits. The White Hedge variety is particularly suitable for hedges. Snow Berry rounded (S. orbiculatus) - a species with ovate-rounded leaves and pink flowers. The fruits are small, pink or purple, and last on the plant almost until the end of winter. 'Variegated' is characterized by smaller leaves with a yellow border. The 'White-fruited' has yellowish-green flowers and white fruits. It is worth remembering 2 hybrid species. Chenault Snowfield (S. x chenaultii) - compact, with pink berries, darker if it is grown in a sunny place. Doorenboosa snowberry (Symphoricarpus x doorenbosii) is a fast-growing shrub with white-pink fruits. Its variety 'Mother of Pearls' blooms luxuriantly and also bears abundant fruit.

The genus Snow Berry (Symphoricarpos), includes about 20 species of deciduous erect or prostrate shrubs up to 2.5 m high. The opposite leaves are simple, usually whole-edged short-stemmed. The flowers are small, white or pinkish, with a tubular or bell-shaped corolla, collected in small racemes in the axils of the leaves. They bloom in summer. The fruit is a fairly large berry-like drupe, white, red or black. It is the fruits that make up the main decorative appeal of the plant.

Common white snowberry, or carpel (Symphoricarpos albus), is an erect shrub up to 1.5 m tall. The leaves are ovate. Instead of pink flowers, glossy snow-white spherical fruits are formed, which abundantly cover the bush in August and keep on the plant until winter. Of the varieties, 'Prickly' is very much appreciated (some botanists distinguish it in a separate species called snowberry rivularis, Symphoricarpos rivularis) with large fruits. The White Hedge variety is particularly suitable for hedges.

Snow Berry rounded (S. orbiculatus) - a species with ovate-rounded leaves and pink flowers. The fruits are small, pink or purple, and last on the plant almost until the end of winter. 'Variegated' is characterized by smaller leaves with a yellow border. The 'White-fruited' has yellowish-green flowers and white fruits.

It is worth remembering 2 hybrid species. Chenault Snowfield (S. x chenaultii) - compact, with pink berries, darker if it is grown in a sunny place. Doorenboosa snowberry (Symphoricarpus x doorenbosii) is a fast-growing shrub with white-pink fruits. Its variety 'Mother of Pearls' blooms luxuriantly and also bears abundant fruit.

Cultivation

Snow Berry is widely used in gardening, grown as a shrub in parks and gardens. The 'White Hedge' variety is widely used for creating hedges. It is very resistant to environmental pollution conditions and is therefore suitable for planting on city streets and flower beds. At an early stage (1-3 years), it can be grown in pots filled with soil consisting of 2/3 of the fertile land and 1/3 of the soil. from peat, with the addition of 30 g of complex mineral fertilizer per bucket. Snow Berry is planted permanently in the open ground in October (if the land is loose and the climate is not too humid), or in February-March. Prefers slightly alkaline soils, but other well-drained and fertilized with organic substances at the rate of 5-7 kg/m2 are also suitable. Plants in hedges are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. In subsequent years, if the land is poorly fertile, in late winter and early spring, full mineral fertilizers are spread on the surface at the rate of 30 g/m2 and then lightly seal them in the soil.

Snow Berry is widely used in gardening, grown as a shrub in parks and gardens. The 'White Hedge' variety is widely used for creating hedges. It is very resistant to environmental pollution conditions and is therefore suitable for planting on city streets and flower beds. At an early stage (1-3 years), it can be grown in pots filled with soil consisting of 2/3 of the fertile land and 1/3 of the soil. from peat, with the addition of 30 g of complex mineral fertilizer per bucket. Snow Berry is planted permanently in the open ground in October (if the land is loose and the climate is not too humid), or in February-March. Prefers slightly alkaline soils, but other well-drained and fertilized with organic substances at the rate of 5-7 kg/m2 are also suitable. Plants in hedges are planted at a distance of 40-50 cm from each other. In subsequent years, if the land is poorly fertile, in late winter and early spring, full mineral fertilizers are spread on the surface at the rate of 30 g/m2 and then lightly seal them in the soil.

Location

Snow Berry is suitable for shade, but it also develops well and grows in an open sunny place.

Temperature

The plant tolerates both high and low air temperatures well. Young bushes should be protected from cold winds in winter.

Watering

It is required for young plants immediately after planting in the ground, and in addition, during periods of drought.

Transplant

Transplant, if necessary, in the spring.

Care

Only hedges should be pruned. This can be done as needed, shortening excessively lush branches. In late winter and early spring, dry, damaged and unsightly branches are removed. Too thin shoots at the base are also removed.

Reproduction

You can take advantage of the fact that Snow Berry is a root-spreading plant. Separate the rooted offspring in autumn or early spring and plant them directly in the ground. Another method is cuttings. In autumn, take semi-woody cuttings about 30 cm long and place them in the fresh air in a protected corner of the garden. Planting at the final planting site is carried out in a year. If the winter is harsh and wet, it is necessary to cover young plantings from the cold.

Diseases

Anthracnose is a fungal disease that causes brick-red spots on fruits that turn black, shrink and fall off prematurely. Other fungi cause the appearance of spots on the leaves with a reddish or blackish edge, as well as the curvature of branches and the formation of inflows on them. It is necessary to remove the infected parts, and then treat them with zinc-and copper-containing fungicides. In a very humid environment, fruits and new shoots damage the fungi of the genus Botrytis, causing a thick gray coating. They get rid of it with the help of drugs against gray rot. Powdery mildew of grapes causes white fluffy spots to appear on leaves and branches. In this case, treatment with copper-containing preparations helps. Rust causes spots to appear on the underside of the leaves. They get rid of them with the help of fungicides. Of the insects, worms are most often found. Chemical treatment is used.

Acquisition

Snow Berry is quite easy to find in gardening centers and specialized nurseries. Buy well-formed compact plants, they are easier to plant completely in the ground. Check that there are no signs of pests or diseases on them.