a winter walk may reveal snowberry as a leafless shrub with waxy, snow-white berries clinging to thin wiry branches. Symphoricarpos albus or common snowberry grows in a variety of wild habitats and is an attractive shrub for home gardens.

(Chenoweth)

Snowberry fruits contain saponin, a naturally soapy substance with antioxidant and antimicrobial effects on the skin. Fresh berries can be crushed and rubbed on skin to cleanse and soothe; they also heal rashes and burns. Native Americans used the berries to clean their hair.

(Chenoweth)

A full sun to partial shade location will provide the best growing conditions. Use the common snowberry as part of a dry woodland garden. It can handle drought spells as long as the roots have had a chance to anchor themselves deep into the soil. It can also tolerate poor soils where other plants may fail.

(The Spruce)