Snowberries look good in the garden, especially in winter. You can decide for yourself whether you want to plant a single bush or a hedge.
Many people also know the snowberry (Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus) as the firecracker bush, because the white berries of the bush burst with a light crack when you throw them on the ground or crush them.
No matter whether as a single shrub or a hedge plant - the deciduous snowberry always comes into its own with its decorative berries. It also looks great in combination with evergreen shrubs, for example. The berries are particularly eye-catching. Usually they are white. The hardy shrub is also available with pink or coral colored berries.
Important:
Caution is advised if you have children as the berries are mildly poisonous and inedible. So that the cracking fun doesn't cause any damage, make your children aware of this and wash your hands thoroughly!
Location and Ground
The snowberry is an undemanding shrub that grows almost anywhere. Sun, partial shade or shade - you can use the firecracker anywhere. The soil can be solid or permeable. Only a slightly acidic to very alkaline pH value is important. Only in very dry soil does the snowberry tend to have many root shoots. You can easily improve the soil with garden peat or compost.
How to plant the snowberry correctly
1 Place snowberries in the garden in May after the last night frosts. It is important that you water the root ball thoroughly before planting. He soaks himself completely in a bucket of water. This only takes a few minutes. When no more air bubbles rise, the root ball is well moistened.
2 Dig the planting hole twice as big and deep as the root ball. Then insert the shrub as straight as possible, fill it with soil, press the substrate firmly and water it vigorously. It is best to create a watering wall around the plant.
If you plant the snowberry as a hedge, plant about two to three plants per meter. In combination with other shrubsthe firecracker bush needs a distance all around that corresponds to about half the final growth height. Plant four to six young bushes per square meter when planting in large areas.
3 In the first few weeks after planting, you have to water the snowberry every day, preferably really muddy it, because it needs a lot of water to grow well. A layer of mulch retains moisture and provides the soil with nutrients.
4 Later, the snowberry does not need any special care. The robust shrub does not require fertilizer and rain showers are usually sufficient for watering. You only have to help with the garden hose during very long, hot dry periods.