Snow White berry is a plant belonging to the family of honeysuckle, the genus Symphoricarpus. His homeland is considered the west of North America. In one place, it can grow for decades without compromising flowering and fruiting. It tolerates gas contamination and smoke, it has been planted near parking lots and gas stations since ancient times.
Snow-white berry is a fast-growing shrub whose branches reach a height of 1.5 m. The root shoot is so plentiful that, if you allow it, it will quickly master several meters in diameter. Its shoots are thin, vertical or slightly inclined. The root system is dense but superficial. The leaves are opposite, have a simple ovoid-rounded shape with solid edges. Their length is about 6 cm, the color of the upper side is green, the lower is blue. In autumn, they do not change color for a long time and keep on the shoots.
It blooms from July to September with bell-shaped greenish-pinkish small nondescript flowers collected in dense racemose inflorescences located at the ends of shoots. They are of interest to bees. On the shoots, there can be both flowers and fruits at the same time. Berries are white spherical wax, in diameter a little less than 1 cm, inedible. They have an unpleasant taste, are not toxic to adults. However, children may cause vomiting, dizziness, and
sometimes fainting. Berries are kept on shoots all winter, giving the shrub an elegant look. Here he is, a white snowman. The photo shows it, as well as the possible use of its original, long-lasting decorative appearance of the fruit.
Cisty snow-berry (as it is sometimes called) - a plant unpretentious, winter-hardy, drought-resistant. It can adapt to any soil, including rocky ones. It grows equally well in sunny places and in partial shade. An adult plant does not need watering, but it is sensitive to soaking.
It tolerates pruning shrubs. In the first 2 years of life, the snow-berry grows to 1 m, begins to bloom and bear fruit from the third year. Surprisingly, many people often can’t remember what the flowers look like, even if they pass by this plant every day. But the fruits do not go unnoticed. It is for their sake that bushes are grown. Sprigs with berries can be used in the composition of dried flowers.
Propagating a white snowdrop is not difficult. This can be done by dividing the bush, lateral offspring (shoots), green cuttings and seeds. If the latter option is selected, the seeds will need stratification. They can also be planted in the winter. The place must be selected so that during the hot period a partial shade is formed. Sowing is best done in October, without greatly deepening the material. Before frost, it is advisable to sketch leaf litter, and later snow.
Snow white berry can be used as a hedge, as bushes grow quickly and form dense thickets. Cutting out excess, it is easy to control the width of the stands. It looks great in a single planting, and in compositions with other plants. It can be grown under trees, forming a favorable contrast with their green foliage.
Plant on your site (and if it is not, then near the house) the snow-berry is white, in the cold winter it will delight the eye with berries, bringing closer the spring.
