The snowberry impresses with a charming summer blossom, unique fruit decoration in autumn and good-natured unpretentiousness. Big and small are as happy as snow kings when the white berries burst with a bang. The following answers to frequently asked questions show how easy care is.

The snowberry is not only popular with children

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant snowberries correctly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. Cut snowberries correctly
  5. pour snowberries
  6. Fertilize snowberries properly
  7. hibernate
  8. Propagating snowberries
  9. Snowberry in the pot
  10. Is snowberry poisonous?
  11. trivia
  12. Beautiful varieties

    13. Plant snowberries correctly

    Choose the leafless period from November to March as the date for planting, in this way you create the best starting conditions for the snowberry. In a sunny to partially shaded location in normal garden soil, create a spacious planting pit with twice the volume of the root ball. We recommend installing a geotextile root barrier so that the vital foothills do not later conquer the garden. If the firecracker acts as a decorative hedge, the planting distance is 100-110 cm. Ideally, enrich the excavation with mature compost or bark humus. The potted young plant is positioned in the center of the planting hole and planted with the enriched substrate. The previous planting depth should be maintained as far as possible. Watering and mulching with leaves complete the uncomplicated planting.

    care tips

    It is no coincidence that the snowberry is one of the favorites of hobby gardeners with limited time, because the care program is limited to the following points:

    • Water the firecrackers only during summer drought
    • Fertilizing is not necessary
    • Cut back only when necessary in early spring
    • Uncomplicated propagation by means of cuttings, division, sinkers or shoots
    • Light winter protection recommended in the year of planting

    The prevention of unwanted spread should be integrated into the care program. Since vigorous offshoots up to 60 cm long thrive in the optimal location, a root barrier should stop this activity. Alternatively, pluck out the numerous saplings promptly if they are not suitable for propagation.

    Which location is suitable?

    If you are looking for an ornamental tree that will not let you down even in less favorable locations, the firecracker is the right choice. As long as the light conditions are in the sunny to semi-shady range, the snowberry does its best. The decorative shrub is just as undemanding in terms of soil conditions and happily stretches out its roots in any normal garden soil.

    Cut snowberries correctly

    The firecracker naturally develops a harmonious silhouette that does not necessarily require an annual shape cut. However, if the ornamental shrub takes on undesirable dimensions, pruning is tolerated without any problems. How to do it right:

    • Prune snowberries in early spring from February to April
    • Shorten branches that are too long by up to two thirds
    • Start each cut just above an outward facing eye
    • In addition, thin out the wood thoroughly by cutting off all dead wood at the base

    The branches of a firecracker covered with white berries also adorn the living room as a vase decoration. So that you can enjoy the autumnal decoration for a long time, cut the shoots just before the fruit ripens.
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    pour snowberries

    The snowberry wears a dense foliage dress and a long-lasting flower display throughout the summer. Therefore, the ornamental wood evaporates a lot of moisture. Therefore, water the firecrackers regularly during summer heat and drought to protect them from drought stress. This may be necessary even after a light downpour if the drops don't penetrate to the root disc. Under normal weather conditions, an additional water supply is not required.

    Fertilize snowberries properly

    The explicit administration of fertilizer is not necessary, since the firecracker takes care of itself via its richly branched root and runner system. Nevertheless, the snowberry is happy about a mulch layer of leaves, lawn clippings or compost and thanks it with a lavish bloom and lush fruit decoration.

    hibernate

    The snowberry has a robust winter hardiness that requires no special precautions. Of course, this resilience only builds up gradually. In the year of planting, a light winter protection therefore makes sense. Before the first frost, spread a thick layer of leaves and twigs and cover the young branches with jute.

    Propagating snowberries

    The diversity of a firecracker continues seamlessly in terms of propagation. To breed additional specimens, choose from the following approaches:

    • Take cuttings in the fall
    • Lowers during the summer
    • Cut off saplings at the foothills in summer and plant them in the new location
    • Division of the root ball in spring or autumn

    Sowing the seeds is also an option; turns out to be quite laborious. Seeds that come from the pulp of a berry are endowed with a germination inhibition by Mother Nature. Breaking through this requires stratification and a long thread of patience. You can look forward to the first blossom with subsequent fruit after 2-3 years at the earliest.

    Snowberry in the pot

    As a magical feast for the eyes, the snowberry in the bucket attracts everyone's attention. In order for the ornamental tree to thrive vitally and healthily, the following care is important:

    • Use structurally stable potting soil as a substrate, filled over a drainage made of potsherds
    • Water regularly once the soil has dried
    • Fertilize liquid every 30 days from May to September
    • If necessary, shorten shoots that are too long in spring

    If winter is just around the corner, wrap the bucket in bubble wrap and place it on a block of wood in front of the south wall of the house. In spring, always repot the firecracker when the previous pot is completely rooted.

    Is snowberry poisonous?

    Although the firecracker contains toxic saponins and alkaloids, this ornamental shrub does not pose a significant health risk. As practice has shown, the small fruits pass through the stomach and intestines without causing damage. In fact, the level of toxicity is so low that an adult would need to eat at least 70 pounds of snowberries to be harmed. Nevertheless, explain to your children that the berries are for popping and not for snacking.
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    trivia

    In 1999, Stefan Raab and the band Truck Stop created a musical monument to the magnificent ornamental wood with the song "Maschen-Draht-Zaun". Since then, it has also been known to the general public outside of the home gardening community that the hardy crackling pea has the potential to stand up to a chain link fence (€34.49).

    Beautiful varieties

    • Hancock: Fancy dwarf firecracker for the small garden and as a dense groundcover; however, tends to grow
    • White Hedge: The compact variety conjures up fantastically beautiful, white hedges and acts as a pasture for bees and butterflies
    • Amethyst: The ideal complement to the white snowberry thanks to pink berries in autumn
    • Magic Berry: This firecracker scores with its delicate pink blossom and magenta fruit decoration

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Vegetable garden