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Re: [SHADEGARDENS] Symphorocarpus in the Shade

In a message dated 98-01-16 11:09:43 EST, Cindy Johnson writes:

<< < .  Symphorocarpus (snowberry) the bees are crazy for, >>

 I put 3 of these plants in 2 summers ago, very small plants from Mellinger's,
 They're now much bigger but NO FLOWERS OR BERRIES!  They get a little dappled
 sun in afternoon.  Do you think they need more sun than that?  I also noticed
 they root wherever the branches hang down to the ground so they might spread
 out of the area I want them in. Can they get invasive?  I planted them
because
 I heard they were good for the bir >>

Cindy.

I inherited a bunch of snowberries (symphoricarpos) on my property a few years
back.  Once established they sucker.  Shoots appear several feet from the
original shrub.  The flowers are very small and inconsequential, the white
berry is the part desired.

This plant was used as hedging in our area and one sees children of the
originals in strange places.  It is very hardy and will grow, bloom and fruit
in shade.  There is more fruit in the sun.  If it helps, I discovered it will
take shearing to control the size.  Nothing stops the suckering.  We removed
all of the snowberries in favor of more attractive (non-suckering) shrubs.

I am sure that is not what you wished to hear.  There are berried shrubs,
hardy in zone 4, among the viburnums.

Claire Peplowski
East Nassau, NY
zone 4
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