Common Snowberry

Common snowberry is a native deciduous shrub of Western Washington's forest understory and dry slopes, a low to moderate-sized multi-stemmed species with small pink or white flowers in spring and distinctive white berries in fall and winter. The bark is slender and tan to reddish-brown. The leaves are small (1-2 inches), oval, and gray-green. The flowers are small and appear in loose clusters; the berries are waxy-white and about half an inch in diameter. The plant rarely exceeds 5-6 feet and often spreads by rhizomes to form dense thickets. The white berries persist through winter on the bare branches, creating a striking winter silhouette.

In Western Washington, common snowberry is a tough, adaptable native shrub for dry to moist sites with full sun to deep shade. The plant tolerates poor soils, drought, and deer browsing better than most ornamental shrubs, making it ideal for difficult sites. Growth is moderate, and the plant spreads by underground rhizomes, sometimes becoming aggressive in favorable conditions. The plant's greatest ornamental asset is the persistent white berries, which provide fall and winter interest and food for birds. Few pests or diseases affect this shrub. The dense branching and spreading form make it valuable for wildlife screens and erosion control. For naturalized plantings, riparian restoration, and difficult-site applications, common snowberry is excellent; its toughness, low maintenance, and autumn-winter interest make it a practical choice. The spreading, rhizomatous habit requires management in manicured landscapes, but in naturalistic settings it is an asset.