Symphoricarpos mollis

Common Names

Creeping Snowberry, Trip Vine, Trailing Snowberry, Southern California Snowberry, Snowberry, Dwarf Snowberry

Summary

Creeping Snowberry (Symphoricarpos mollis) is a western North American deciduous sub-shrub growing about 1 ft tall and spreading 3–4 ft wide by rhizomes, forming colonies. It has trailing stems with blue-green, velvety leaves and pink bell-shaped flowers in spring, followed by small white berries in late summer, and its creeping habit makes it distinctive while attracting pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds.

For cultivation, it tolerates sun to shade, low water once established, and a wide range of soils, including clay, and is drought-tolerant; it is hardy to USDA Zone 5. Common landscape uses include erosion control, groundcover, bank stabilization, and wildlife-friendly plantings that attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. Propagation is versatile: cuttings or divisions are easy; seed propagation can require stratification or pre-treatment; pruning after blooming helps maintain shape.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

36-48 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zone 5

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade to Full Sun; tolerates sun to shade.

Soil Type

Average, well-drained soil with neutral pH; tolerates a wide range from sandy to clay.

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

4.0-7.0

Neutral (around pH 7)

Bloom Color

Pink

Bloom Time

Spring

Foliage Color

Bluish-green

Fall Foliage Color

Bluish

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Slow

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds