Symphoricarpos doorenbosii Magical Sweet

Symphoricarpos Magical Sweet 'Kolmaswet' has all the qualities of the symphorines from the Magical® series, which are covered with large clusters of fruits that are as pretty as pearls from September onwards. It offers berries in a lovely gradient from violet pink to almost white. Particularly floriferous and fruitful, with a compact habit, it is perfect for adding a touch of magic to any setting, from late summer to winter. Magical Sweet will certainly find its place in the garden: in a small hedge, in a large grouping of plants, on a slope or even in the shade of large trees. This adorable symphorine can also be displayed in a large pot on a balcony or terrace.

Symphoricarpos x doorenbosii belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family resulting from the cross-breeding between Symphoricarpos albus var. laevigatus, native to the eastern Rocky Mountains in the USA, and S. chenaultii, a hybrid of horticultural origin. All these plants are perfectly cold-resistant and have quite remarkable adaptability: they are easy to grow and tolerate a wide range of soils.

Magical Sweet is part of a series of recent hybrids, selected in the Netherlands for their generous fruiting. It is a fast-growing deciduous bush with slightly suckering roots. Reaching about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) in height and 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in width at maturity, it spreads laterally. Its habit is generally rounded, dense and compact, supported by upright, well-branched stems that arch over time. The deciduous foliage emerges in spring and falls in autumn. It consists of small oval leaves measuring 2 cm to 4 cm (0.8 in to 1.6 in) 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 in May-June, in the axils of the leaves, in the form of clusters of small bell-shaped flowers. After pollination, they give way from August onwards to round and spongy fruits measuring 1.5 cm to 2 cm (0.6 in to 0.8 in) in diameter, with a changing colour, becoming light pinkish-purple when ripe. These berries often persist until December. Not edible for humans, they are, however, appreciated by birds and game.

Magical Sweet is a resistant and extremely hardy bush, capable of adapting to many growing conditions and to most regions. It easily integrates into a free hedge or a large shrub bed in gardens that leave room for nature. Many other deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with flowers or berries, can accompany it: spireas, viburnums, lilacs, shrubby honeysuckles, cotoneasters, dogwoods, botanical roses, euonymus, ornamental cherry and apple trees, hawthorns, and Berberis. You can even grow it in a pot on your terrace. Its branches laden with fruits can also be used to make beautiful autumn bouquets.