Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Symphony Rumble

The Symphoricarpos Symphony Rumble is a particularly floriferous and fruitful selection of snowberry, with berries that have a very vibrant purple-pink color. It is during late summer and throughout winter that one notices this deciduous shrub, whose branches are covered with tightly packed berries in small clusters. Comfortable in both sun and shade, adaptable to a wide range of soils, and beneficial to small wildlife, it makes an excellent choice for a free hedge or woodland garden.

The Symphoricarpos orbiculatus Symphony Rumble is a recent Dutch horticultural selection. It is part of a series of snowberries selected for their low maintenance, resistance to fungal diseases, and extended flowering period in summer. The species is native to the eastern and central United States, as well as central Canada and northeastern Mexico. The plant thrives in soils that are close to neutral (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline), whether they are clayey and very moist or, conversely, fairly dry in summer. Snowberries belong to the caprifoliaceae family, just like honeysuckles.

The Symphoricarpos Symphony Rumble is a densely bushy, upright yet flexible shrub that can propagate itself through spontaneous layering, with branches rooting at the nodes when they come into contact with the ground. Its growth rate is moderate, and the plant will reach a height of about 90cm (35in) and a width of 90cm (35in) to 1m (3ft) at maturity. The foliage is late deciduous, often turning purplish-violet in autumn before falling. It consists of small ovate-rounded leaves, dark green on the upper surface but lighter green on the lower surface. The flowering period extends from late July to September. It takes the form of numerous small funnel-shaped flowers appearing in the axils of the leaves, with a greenish-white color tinged with pink. After pollination by insects, they give way to numerous small berries, 6mm (<1in) in diameter, which are intensely purple-pink at maturity, highly decorative, and sought after by certain birds.

Snowberries are known for their resilience and beautiful winter fruiting. This particular variety will be appreciated for its ease of cultivation, rustic character, and long-lasting, brightly colored fruiting. It blends easily into a free hedge or a large shrub border without pretension, in a garden that makes room for nature. Many other deciduous or evergreen shrubs, with flowers or berries, can accompany it: spireas, dogwoods, viburnums, shrubby honeysuckles, cotoneasters, botanical roses, euonymus, ornamental cherry and apple trees, hawthorns, Berberis, and more.