Viburnum opulus
Garden Plant Information

Viburnum opulus

 

Viburnum opulus in autumn

 

Name

Viburnum opulus (also called Guelder rose)

Genus  

Viburnum

Species

opulus

Cultivar/variety

 

General description

Vigorous deciduous berry bearing shrub. Upright oval growth habit in youth, becoming arching and spreading with age. Bright display of berries and foliage in autumn. Good for hedging/screens, wildlife woodland and low maintenance gardens. Attractive to wildlife.

 

Viburnum opulus is a host for over-wintering aphids..

Season of interest

White flowers in spring, red berries in autumn.

Key horticultural features

  1. Opposite, trilobed leaves up to 10cm long on brownish-purple stems. H: 4m x S: 4m

  2. Older stems brown and woody, younger growth slightly shiny with a pinkish tinge.

  3. Flat topped inflorescences of scented white flowers in late spring to early summer.

  4. Bunches of shiny, translucent, red berries in autumn.

Cultural details

Aspect

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil

Moist, well drained. Can cope with damp situations. Tolerates poor soil.

Hardiness

Hardy.

Maintenance

Prune and reshape to avoid habit becoming gangly. Regrows quickly when cut back and may form thickets of suckers.

Propagation

From seed in autumn or cuttings in summer.

 

 

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Published: 19-09-2005

Updated:   12-10-2008