Viburno

Class

Dicotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Viburnaceae

Order

Dipsacales

Genus

Viburnum

Species

opulus

Description

A shrub with excellent aesthetic and environmental qualities; widely used in gardens, parks and environmental regeneration projects.

It has a bushy habit with a regular, spreading crown that reaches a height of 3 m. The linear branches tend to curve as they grow.
The leaves are deciduous, simple and opposite. The leaf blade, over 12 cm long, has three lobes with acute tips, whilst the margin is serrated and the veins prominent; dark green in colour, they turn yellow-orange with reddish hues during autumn.
The flowers, which are hermaphroditic and white, are grouped in globular, umbrella-shaped corymbs over 10 cm in diameter; those within the corymb are fertile, whilst the larger outer ones are sterile and attract insects that aid pollination. The flowering, which is very spectacular, takes place in mid-spring (May) with an abundance of ball-shaped flowers, hence the name ‘Pallon di Maggio’.
The fruits, which are inedible, are red drupes approximately 1 cm in diameter.
It has no particular soil or climate requirements as it is a very hardy plant; it thrives in partial shade and fresh, calcareous soil.
Suitable for growing and use in the open ground in the garden, as well as in pots for window boxes and on terraces.

Curiosities and special features

There are numerous cultivars of Viburnum opulus currently available on the market, including ornamental varieties selected to produce only sterile flowers, with the aim of achieving larger inflorescences with greater decorative value.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the region stretching from Europe to Siberia and Turkey, as far as northern Algeria.

Leaf

The leaves, which are deciduous and opposite, have a lobed blade with prominent veins; they are over 12 cm long and have three lobes with pointed tips and a serrated margin.

Leaf colour

plain, dark green in colour, turning yellow-orange with reddish hues during the autumn.

Plant height

The plant grows to a height of between 1 and 3 metres.

Lifespan

Polyennial deciduous shrub.

Where to plant

Versatile in its uses, it is suitable as a shrub for flowerbeds, traffic-island flowerbeds, balconies, pots, gardens and parks, large flowerbeds and roundabouts, large pots, open ground, hedges and terraces.

This plant adapts well to being grown in pots, making it an excellent choice for balconies, terraces or small gardens. When growing it in a pot, it is important to choose a container large enough to accommodate root growth and to ensure it has good drainage.

Stem

It has a woody, semi-woody stem with greyish-brown bark bearing light-coloured lenticels.

Flower

The flower is large and pom-pom-shaped, with a symmetrical corolla and single-coloured petals. It grows in large corymb inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to late spring, with a flowering period of between 15 and 30 days. It has sweet notes, is slightly fragrant, and has a delicate aroma. It attracts bees and bumblebees.

Growth

A long-lived shrub with vigorous growth.

Plant habit

It develops a bushy habitus.

Branching

abundant, with linear branches that tend to curve as they grow longer.

PH

Requires a substrate or soil pH between 6.0 and 7.0.

Sun exposure

Grow inpartial shade or full sun.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ‘Snowball’ viburnum is remarkably hardy, withstanding temperatures as low as -20°C.

Use

It is widely used in:
Outdoor ornamental applications Outdoor landscape design Landscaping Plants for environmental stabilisation

Hardiness

A plant that ishighly hardy.

Soil

To ensure proper vegetative growth, the soil must be well-structured, rich in organic matter and well-drained.

Viburnum opulus prefers cool, calcareous soil.

Difficulty

It is easy to grow and requires little maintenance, making it even more practical.

Growing tips

Balanced fertilisation A plant that adapts very well to cold winter climates and can even survive in frozen ground. Prefers a cool climate It can be planted in sunny or semi-shaded beds. Proper pruning

Planting

The best time to plant viburnum is in autumn or early spring, when the soil is workable and not frozen. This allows the plant to become established and develop a good root system before the onset of extreme summer or winter temperatures. We recommend digging a hole at least twice the size of the plant’s pot, placing the plant in the centre and filling the hole with fertile soil, whilst ensuring the soil around the roots is lightly compacted to prevent air pockets. Apply a starter fertiliser as a base dressing.

We suggest an average planting density of 2 plants per square metre.

Pruning

Viburnum can also be pruned immediately after flowering to control its size and encourage the growth of new shoots, thereby allowing you to shape the plant to your liking and stimulate the growth of new flowers for the following season.

Pruning is also an opportunity to remove any damaged or diseased branches, resulting in a healthy and tidy plant.

Keep the plant at a size appropriate for its use, whether grown in the ground or in a pot; growing in a pot may require more frequent pruning to maintain a manageable size and an attractive shape.

Propagation

Viburnum is propagated vegetatively by layering, suckering and cuttings.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, to prevent waterlogging, which could damage the plant.

During the warmer months, water becomes even more essential, but should always be applied to the growing medium or soil in moderation.

When grown in pots, it should be watered more frequently, particularly during the growing season, as it is more prone to drying out.

Fertilising

Regular fertilisation in spring using organic fertilisers, which should be broadcast over the surface, helps to nourish the plant, promoting vigorous growth and abundant flowering. This is also the ideal time to add compost to enrich the soil.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Toxicity for humans

All parts of the plant are poisonous.

Tip

Viburnum opulus has many varieties, all of which are very attractive. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colours, allowing you to choose the plant best suited to your needs: - Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’: an ideal variety for smaller gardens, with a more compact growth habit. This is a cultivar whose inflorescences display the species’ original characteristics, comprising fertile central flowers and sterile ones around the edges. - Viburnum opulus ‘Xanthocarpum’: characterised by yellow rather than red berries, which are very striking and decorative, offering an interesting colour contrast. - Viburnum opulus ‘Park Harvest’: golden-green foliage with a rust-red edge, lacecap inflorescences like the wild species, and very abundant, long-lasting red berries, prized for their winter ornamental value.