Plant guide

Coralberry.

Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Pronounced sim-for-ih-KAR-pos or-bik-yoo-LAY-tus

Also known as Buck Brush, Coralberry, Indian-currant, Indiancurrant coralberry, buckbrush, round snowberry

Coralberry is a lovely deciduous shrub that is native to the eastern United States. It is well known for its arching branches and clusters of bright pinkish purple berries that persist through the winter. This plant is a great choice for naturalizing in woodland gardens or as a hardy ground cover.

Another photo of Coralberry — Photo by mattmsa (CC0) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 3 to 6 feet
Growth rate: Medium

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist while the plant is establishing itself in your garden. Watch for wilting leaves as a sign that it needs more water, and prune back any dead or damaged wood in late winter to encourage healthy spring growth.

Watering: Water deeply once a week during dry spells to keep the root system hydrated.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer once in early spring before new growth appears.
Pruning: Prune in late winter to remove old wood and maintain the desired shape.
Repotting: If grown in a container, move to a larger pot every few years when the roots become crowded.
Soil: Well draining, adaptable to various soil types
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5

Safety

Pets: The berries are considered mildly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested in large quantities.

How to identify it

Opposite, oval shaped leaves
Small, bell shaped greenish flowers
Clusters of purplish red berries
Slender, arching woody stems

Problems to watch for

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Science

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Symphoricarpos
Order: Dipsacales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your coralberry growing

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This guide was generated with AI on October 24, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.