Some of the most well-known invasive plants include Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed, but there are plenty of lesser-known species that can be harmful.
Including the snowberry bush (Symphoricarpos albus), which, although it looks pretty, can soon become a problem.
Here’s everything you need to know about the invasive snowberry bush and how to stop it from growing in your garden.
What is the snowberry plant?
Described as “vigorous”, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) explains that the snowberries are oval-shaped with dark blue-green leaves that are held in pairs along a stem.
During the early summer, the plant has short clusters of small, pink, bell-shaped flowers that are followed by clusters of white berries that last in winter.
The snowberry plant reaches a height of between 2.5 to four meters and a spread of between 2.5 to four meters.
The plant grows best in chalk, loam, sand and clay conditions that are moist and well drained.
Is the snowberry plant invasive?
According to Gardeners’ World.com, the snowberry is considered to be invasive, sharing: “Snowberry can be invasive in gardens and is considered a problem species in woodland where, like rhododendron, it out-competes native plants.
“If you live near woodland, you might consider not growing snowberry, due to its tendency to sucker.”
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How to grow the snowberry plant
If you fancy growing a snowberry plant, the RHS shares that it can be propagated by using softwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn.
Adding that suggested planting locations and garden types include cottage or informal garden, wildlife gardens and banks and slopes.
It’s important to note that the snowberry plant is susceptible to aphids and fungal leaf spots, powdery mildews, rust diseases, stem galls and honey fungus.
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