Symphorycarpos doorenboosii Mother Of Pearl

Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii 'Mother of Pearl' is a beautiful variety of snowberry with unique pearly pink berries. It forms a medium-sized bush, reaching about 1.50m (4.92 ft) in height and width at maturity, and will be perfect for adding a touch of magic to the garden or even the terrace, from late summer to winter. Insignificant white flowering is followed by a profusion of large round berries, pretty as pearls, gathered in clusters on the branches. 'Mother of Pearl' will fit well in the garden: in a small informal hedge, in a large bed of plants, or even on a slope and in the shade of large trees. This adorable snowberry can also be displayed in a large pot on the balcony.

The Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii is a plant from the caprifoliaceae family resulting from the cross-breeding between the Symphoricarpos albus var.laevigatus, native to the Eastern Rocky Mountains in the U.S.A, and the S.chenaultii, a horticultural hybrid. All these plants are perfectly cold-resistant, have remarkable adaptability and can withstand a wide range of soils.

The 'Mother of Pearl' snowberry forms a deciduous suckering bush with rapid growth. Reaching about 1.50m (4ft 11in) in height and width at maturity, it spreads laterally without a limit. Its habit is rounded, dense and compact, supported by upright, well-branched stems that arch over time. The deciduous foliage emerges in spring and falls in autumn and consists of small ovate leaves measuring 2 to 4cm (0.8 to 1.6in) in length. Dark green on the upper side, they are lighter on the underside and turn yellow before falling. The inconspicuous flowering attracts pollinating insects. It takes place from late May to August, in the axils of the leaves, in the form of clusters of small white-greenish to light pink bell-shaped flowers. After pollination this gives way from September to round and spongy fruits measuring 1.5 to 2cm (0.6 to 0.8in) in diameter, of a pearly white-pink colour. These beautiful berries often last until January. Non-edible for humans, they are however appreciated by birds.

This 'Mother of Pearl' snowberry is a resistant and extremely hardy bush, capable of adapting to many growing conditions. It easily integrates into an informal hedge or a large shrub bed in a garden that encourages nature. Many other deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with flowers or berries, will accompany it: spireas, viburnums, lilacs, shrubby honeysuckles, cotoneasters, elaeagnus, botanical roses, euonymus, ornamental cherries and apples, hawthorns, Berberis... You can even grow the Mother of Pearl snowberry in a pot on your terrace. Its fruit-laden branches can also be used to create beautiful autumn bouquets.