Description of a Snowball Plant

Appearance

• A snowball plant may grow to be up to 12 feet tall, with a similar spread. The plant produces three-lobed leaves that are similar in appearance to sugar maple leaves. Leaves are up to 4 inches long, and transition from pale green to reddish orange in the fall. The white flowers appear in midspring and are up to 3 inches in diameter. Flowers have a greenish tint when they first emerge.

History

• The wild species from which the snowball plant is derived hails from Europe. The first snowball plant is believed to have originated in Holland, where it was cultivated at least as early as the 16th century. The plant was originally referred to as Gelder Rose. According to The University of Arkansas Extension, the name snowball did not become common until about 1760. Snowball plant made its way to the United States during colonial times.

Culture

• Snowball plant is a cool-weather-loving plant that may be grown successfully in USDA zones 3 to 8, where it will grow in either full sunlight or partial shade. The plant is tolerant of a range of soil types, though it prefers a loamy soil that is kept evenly moist. If pruning is desired, do so immediately after flowering to avoid clipping any new flower buds. The shrub is very tolerant of drought once established.

Features

• Snowball plant is a popular choice for shrub borders or foundation plantings, and may be massed together to form a dense hedge or screen. The shrub is particularly suitable for a woodland or cottage-themed garden. Dwarf cultivars such as Compactum and Nanum may be used in small yards. Snowball plant is mostly pest and disease free, although aphids often colonize young plants. Wash away aphids with a direct stream of water, or release predatory insects such as lady bugs.