Coralberry

Description

Botanical Name:  Symphoricarpos orbiculatus

Common Name:  Coralberry, Indian Currant, Buckbrush

Description:  Gorgeous Florida native deciduous shrub with graceful arching stems. It has pretty pinkish-red berries in the fall that last through the winter. Part sun, part shade, or shade is where it likes to be planted because it grows naturally in forests or natural areas of bottomland woods. Grows 4′ tall and 4-6′ wide. Should be used more in our gardens. Leaves turn red in the fall. Attracts lots of pollinators and birds. Is in the honeysuckle family. It can be propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This is a great shrub for naturalized areas or an informal shrub border. Can be planted on a slope for erosion control. Its dense branching growth provides cover and the flowers and fruits provide food attracting a wide variety of wildlife.  Its unique shredded bark provides winter interest in the landscape. Drought tolerant.

Special value to native bees. Attracts good bugs, so use it in your Integrated Pest Management program. Songbirds, ground birds, small mammals, and browsers like white tailed deer use this plant for food, cover, and nesting sites. Various moths use this as a host plant:  Hummingbird Clearwing Moth and Snowberry Clearwing Moth.  Nectar from the flowers attract bees, wasps, and flies.

Soil Description: Well-drained sand, loam, or clay.

This plant in 1-gallon containers is 1-2′ tall and wide.

This plant in 3-gallon containers is 2-3′ tall x 1-2′ wide.

Fun Fact: Eating the Coralberry fruit can give you an upset tummy. Add it to your poison garden, but don’t eat the fruit. The common name of “buckbrush” is given to it because deer love to eat the leaves and berries.

Hardiness Zones 4-8