Alabama snow wreath | The Morton Arboretum

Family (English) Rose
Family (botanic) Rosaceae
Tree or plant type Shrub
Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native locale North America
Size range Small shrub (3-5 feet), Medium shrub (5-8 feet)
Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
Tolerances Dry sites
Season of interest early spring, mid spring, late spring
Flower color and fragrance White
Shape or form Arching, Round, Thicket-forming, Upright
Growth rate Moderate, Slow

More Information

Size and Form

A colony-forming, upright to rounded shrub, Alabama snow wreath reaches 3 to 6 feet high and wide. The open, arching stems have a zig-zag appearance.

Native Geographic Location and Habitat

Native to the eastern U.S. in Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, and Tennessee, this shrub is found in moist woods, rocky limestone soils, and along stream banks.

Bark Description

The bark is grayish to reddish-brown.

Leaf Description

Leaves are alternate, 2 1/2 to 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide, elliptical with stiff hairs, double serrated margins; medium green.

Flower Description

One inch wide flowers combine into showy clusters of three to eight. Although there are no petals, there are distinct white, bottle brush-like, fluffy stamens.