Snowberry
Symphoricarpos albus
Snowberry is native to North America and was among the specimens sent to Jefferson from the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Its diminutive pink flowers bloom in early summer and give way to white berries which persist through the winter and are especially striking after the leaves drop.
Monticello was one of the first gardens where this shrub was grown. Thomas Jefferson sent seed of the Snowberry, brought back from the Lewis & Clark Expedition, to his nurseryman friend, Bernard McMahon. In 1812, McMahon 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 hang in large clusters and are of a snow-white colour, and continue on the shrub, retaining their beauty all the winter, especially if kept in a greenhouse . . . I have given it the trivial english name of Snowberry-bush."
Snowberry 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.
Jefferson promised the shrub to his Parisian friend, Madame de Tessé, and plants were sent to General John Hartwell Cocke, of Bremo Plantation on the James River in March 1817.
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.
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Heirloom Seeds and Plants from the Monticello collection
Plant history in your gardens with seeds and plants from Monticello and the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants.
