Caprifoliaceae
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus)
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
A tough, easy shrub for sun or shade, almost any soil and little water once established. It takes hard cold, drought and pollution. It spreads by suckers, so give it room or keep clumps in check. The berries are not edible.
Every 10 days
Partial shade
-20° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Coralberry?
Coralberry (Symphoricarpos orbiculatus) is a easy-care plant from the Caprifoliaceae family. Symphoricarpos orbiculatus is a deciduous shrub from the central and eastern United States. It grows 0.6-1.8 m tall and spreads by roots and by stems that root where they touch the ground, forming dense thickets. Leaves are small, oval and dark green. In late spring and summer it bears tiny bell-sha...
Coralberry grows up to 1.8m, spread of 180cm, watering every 10 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Coralberry tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs.
How to Care for Coralberry?
TLDR: Coralberry needs Partial shade, watering every 10 days, and temperatures between -20-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Coralberry?
Water every 7-10 days in the first year. Once established it tolerates drought and only needs water during long dry spells.
How Much Light Does Coralberry Need?
Full sun to shade. It produces more berries with a few hours of sun.
What Is the Best Soil for Coralberry?
Almost any soil: clay, loam, sand, rocky or chalky, from dry to moist.
What Pot Should You Use for Coralberry?
Best in the ground. In a container, use a large, deep pot with drainage holes, as the roots spread.
What Is Coralberry and Where Does It Come From?
Symphoricarpos orbiculatus is a deciduous shrub from the central and eastern United States. It grows 0.6-1.8 m tall and spreads by roots and by stems that root where they touch the ground, forming dense thickets. Leaves are small, oval and dark green. In late spring and summer it bears tiny bell-shaped flowers, greenish-white or pinkish, not very showy. The show comes in autumn: clusters of coral-pink to purple-red berries, about 6 mm across, that stay on the branches for much of the winter.
How to Propagate Coralberry?
Semi-hardwood cuttings
Hardwood cuttings taken in autumn also root when set straight into a sheltered bed.
- 1 In summer, cut 10-15 cm pieces of current-year growth
- 2 Remove the lower leaves
- 3 Insert in a light, moist mix
- 4 Keep in bright shade and moist until rooted
Materials needed:
Rooted suckers
The quickest method, since the plant spreads on its own.
- 1 In autumn, find a sucker with its own roots at the edge of the clump
- 2 Sever it from the parent with a spade
- 3 Replant in the new spot and water well
Materials needed:
How Big Does Coralberry Grow?
TLDR: Coralberry can reach up to 1.8m tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
1.8m
Spread
1.8m
Growth rate
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Warning: Toxic Plant
This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Ground Cover
Soil coverage
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Coralberry?
TLDR: Coralberry is susceptible to 4 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Aphids
Aphids are small, soft-bodied, pear-shaped insects (1/16 to 1/8 inch long) that feed by sucking nutrient-rich sap from plants. They reproduce rapidly and can quickly weaken plants, causing distorted growth and transmitting plant viruses. Aphids come in various colors including green, black, red, yellow, brown, and gray. They secrete honeydew, a sticky substance that attracts ants and encourages sooty mold growth.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is a common fungal disease caused by various pathogens including Alternaria, Ascochyta, Colletotrichum, Septoria, and Venturia. It primarily affects leaves, causing discolored spots that can lead to premature leaf drop if left untreated.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease caused by various fungi species including Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Oïdium, and Leveillula. It affects over 10,000 plant species worldwide. The disease thrives in warm, dry climates with high humidity and appears as a distinctive white powdery coating on plant surfaces.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Fun Facts
The berries look like tiny pomegranates.
At least 12 bird species eat the berries, mostly in late winter after freezing and thawing has softened them.
'Devil's shoestring' refers to its low, tough stems that can trip walkers.
Frequently asked questions
Are coralberry berries edible?
Does it spread a lot?
How do I prune it?
Can it take cold and shade?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
