Species coralberry
red-pink fruits with lime-yellow leaves

coralberry

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is a deciduous shrub native to North America. It produces small white flowers in the summer and is followed by rounded clusters of bright red fruits in late summer and fall. The stems and leaves are covered with velvety hairs. It grows quickly and thickly and will form wide colonies when planted in good soil. It can reach up to 6 feet tall and wide in ideal conditions. Its hardiness makes it a popular choice for gardeners and landscapers alike. It is ideal for rock garden or hard-to-reach areas and provides valuable food and shelter for wildlife, such as songbirds.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division,Grafting Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 7

Flowers:

Pinkish white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

red,pink,coral Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,yellow,orange

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) grows best in moist, well-draining soil and in full sun or partial shade. Watering is important for the growth of this plant species. During the first year after planting, coralberry requires consistent moisture for optimal performance. Water once or twice a week, providing enough moisture so that the soil feels evenly moist but not soggy. Once the plant is established, it is more drought tolerant and should be watered only during extended dry periods. In general, coralberry only needs light, supplemental watering once a week during summer, or every 2 weeks during the remainder of the year.

sunlight

Coralberry plants require full sun to partial shade - either at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day, or bright indirect sunlight throughout the day. This plant is an excellent choice for gardeners who do not have access to full sunlight most of the day. It can tolerate more shade than most plants, but may not flower as abundantly in those conditions. If possible, place your coralberry in full sun during its "budding" or growth season, which is generally around late spring to early summer. Once established, the coralberry will perform best and have the most amount of flowers and berries if it receives 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.

pruning

Coralberry plants should be pruned 2-3 times a year to maintain their desired shape. Prune the plant in early spring before new growth begins. Young, healthy coralberry plants generally need light pruning to remove dead, diseased, or damaged wood on a yearly basis. Established plants that are overgrown should be pruned more severely by cutting back old growth. In the late winter or early spring, prune about 1-half of the oldest branches down to the ground or to younger branches. This will help rejuvenate the plant and control its size. Prune any vigorous or angled shoots to avoid overcrowding. If the coralberry is heavily laden with berries, which can be a weed seed source, consider pruning spent blooms and some of the berries during the summer for manageable maintenance.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Coralberry typically starts flowering in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, or coralberry, is typically in late summer or early fall, usually between August and October.

Starts Flowering

Coralberry typically starts flowering in late summer or early fall, usually in August or September.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, or coralberry, is typically in late summer or early fall, usually between August and October.

Hardiness Map