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Gerald L. Klingaman
Caprifoliaceae
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Coralberry
A tough hardy plant for a variety of landscapes, this eastern North American native is particularly showy in fall when its branches are laden with thousands of small red fruits. A deciduous rounded head-high shrub of dense twiggy habit, it bears insignificant creamy white, pink-flushed flowers in summer. Pea-sized fruits develop in autumn, becoming very visible once frost causes the small oval dark-green leaves to fall. The coral-red to violet-red berries persist well into winter and attract hungry songbirds.
Grow this adaptable shrub in full to partial sun, keeping in mind that fruiting increases with sunlight. It tolerates all kinds of soil types and is an excellent candidate for garden sites where everything else seems to fail. It may look a bit unkempt after a few years and require a severe late winter pruning to rejuvenate it. It is also susceptible to powdery mildew, a fungus that discolors and disfigures the foliage. Use it in the mixed shrub border or as a screen or tall groundcover; cut the berry-laced branches to use in arrangements.
7 - 1
2 - 7
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21
Shrub
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
4'-8' / 1.2m - 2.4m
Summer
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, Central United States, South-Central United States, Texas, Mexico
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Average
Clay, Loam, Sand
Drought
Medium
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
Oval/Rounded
Fall, Winter
Insignificant
Light Pink, Ivory
Red, Magenta, Violet
Green
Green, Dark Green
Tan, Brown
No
Single
Yes
Matte
Smooth
Cutflower, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border
Sometimes
Birds, Hummingbirds
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