In Bloom: 2010-06-28 Out of Bloom: 0000-00-00 Growth Type: Woody Shrub Hardiness Zones: 4 - 7 Location at Monticello: West Lawn Oval Bed Planting Conditions: Sun and Part Shade

Snowberry Symphoricarpos albus (Click image to enlarge)

Thomas Jefferson sent seed of the Snowberry, brought back from the Lewis and Clark Expedition, to his nurseryman friend, Bernard McMahon. In 1812, MaMahon sent Jefferson young plants, saying "This is a beautiful shrub brought by Captain Lewis from the River Columbia; the flower is small but neat, the berries hand in large clusters and are of a snow-white colour, and continue on the shrub, retainging their beauty all the winter, especially if kept in a greenhouse . . . I have given it the trivial english name of Snowberry-bush." Monticello was one of the first gardens where this shrub was grown, and it became a popular garden novelty in England after seed was first exported in 1817. The tiny pink blossoms form in late spring and are followed by the large white berries that are especially striking after the leaves drop. Visit Monticello's Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of Snowberry. Close Window © Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Inc.