The snowberry, also known as the snap pea, is one of the native bird bushes. The berries are eaten by many species of birds. In addition, the bushes look very decorative with the mostly bright white, unfortunately slightly poisonous fruits and the colorful autumn leaves.
How do you plant a snowberry hedge?
Snowberry hedges, also called snap peas, are ideal for natural hedges for bird food. Plant snowberries at a distance of 50-100 cm from other hedge plants, in almost any location and combine them with other bird bushes such as cornelian cherry or elderberry.
Which hedges are snowberries suitable for?
Snowberries are deciduous. The shrubs are not suitable as a permanent privacy screen.
The snap pea is often grown in natural hedges, which primarily serve as food for birds and other insects.
Plant snowberries 50 to 100 centimeters away from other hedge plants. The gaps close quite quickly because of the rapid growth.
Planting snowberries in the hedge
Snowberries are very undemanding shrubs. You can cope with almost any location. They don't place high demands on the quality of the soil.
The snap pea is a typical beginner's shrub. Even if you have no experience with ornamental shrubs, you won't have any problems with snowberries.
Unlike many other bird bushes, the snowberry also thrives in shady regions. You can therefore plant them as hedges anywhere where almost nothing else wants to grow.
Combine snowberry with other bird bushes
Snowberries look particularly good in combination with other bird bushes, such as:
- Cornelian cherry
- elderberry
- currant
- Rowberry
- Snowball
Snowberries hardly need any care
Snowberries are fast-growing. They gain up to 50 centimeters in height per year.
The snowberry in the hedge hardly needs any care. Other than occasional pruning and removing runners, you can leave the shrubs to fend for themselves. Watering is only necessary in very dry summers. You can also avoid fertilizing.
Cut the snowberry in the hedge into shape by April or from mid-July. If you occasionally need to make rejuvenation cuts, feel free to cut the plant back to the ground. It sprouts again very quickly. However, pruning comes at the expense of the berries that hang on the bushes in late summer.
Tip
The snowberry constantly produces new flowers with lots of nectar until September. This makes them particularly valuable for bees, as they can still find food here in autumn.
