Erasing the Green Blur: Eternal Snow of the Northwest

The snow comes early to the Pacific Northwest. Especially here in the Willamette Valley, we do not have to wait for winter to see our first sign of winters approach. Underneath the conifer and mixed-deciduous forests and along the streambanks, the snow begins to appear in late summer. The sight of those small bushes sprinkled with small flecks of a white brings beauty to the woods.

This everlasting snow is easy to find and promises that winter will be coming soon. If you do find our summer snow take a moment to stop and enjoy it, for you will have discovered one of the most beloved plants of the Pacific Northwest.

Symphoricarpos albus, the common snowberry. “{The common snowberry},may not be the most beautiful or well-behaved shrub in the garden” as Jackie Carroll writes in Gardening Know How, but for wildlife gardeners and habitat restorationists alike, this unassuming plant holds many gifts.

Occurring throughout the Pacific Northwest, as far north as Alaska and as far south as California, this plant resides in many habitat communities. A member of the Caprifoliaceae or Honeysuckle family, the name comes from the clusters of white fruits, as evidenced by Native Plants PNW.com.

The snowberry bears small white or pink flowers in the springtime before they ripen into the distinct fleshy fruits in the summertime. This particular plant often takes the form of a delicate, woody shrub with oppositely arranged leaves. More often than not, these leaves are oval in shape, but can sometimes possess toothed or wavy margins as described in Britannica .

Whether in a natural or manmade environment, few can argue that the plant does not hold its own against many other common ornamentals. Plant nurseries such as Plant Oregon: The Nursery on Wagner Creek, relish that the Snowberry’s  “round green leaves” and “spreading, airy and gentle appearance” would make a wonderful contribution to any garden.

MPG North strongly recommends that this plant is a valuable commodity for wildlife gardeners and backyard habitat enthusiasts. The white berries serve as an important source of calories for many species of birds and small mammals. Native ungulates, such as deer, will also browse the leaves for food as well. Snowberry bushes also serve as nesting sites and shelters for songbirds and gamebirds alike.

Be warned however if you decide to try one of the succulent fruits for yourself. Described as “bitter and mildly emetic”, MPG North writes that these berries can actually induce vomiting when eaten in substantial volumes. Considered starvation food by the Native Americans according to MPG North, it was more often used as a medicinal plant to treat ailments ranging from skin disorders to venereal diseases according to the USDA.

For habitat restorationists though, this plant is one of the best tools we have to assist with mitigating and restoring degraded habitat. For a few other plants can adapt and thrive within heavily disturbed and exposed areas as well as the snowberry plant can. Even Carol admits that the snowberry’s ability to tolerate a diverse array of soil types and thrive in sun or shade endeavors the plant to garden enthusiasts and conservationists alike.

The plant’s tendency to form dense clusters of vegetation and proliferate from rhizomes according to  MPG North, also aid in controlling the spread of invasive plants. Snowberry plants, according to Native Plants PNW, are resistant to fire. Making the snowberry plant an invaluable plant for aiding in habitat restoration projects within historic fire zones.

So perhaps if you ever come to the Pacific Northwest, you should take a walk out in the woods and look for the common snowberry. If you are fortunate enough to see it, I hope you marvel at how such a seemingly unassuming plant can hold such hope for the future.