Description
Viburnum opulus (syn. Viburnum trilobum)
CT RG E P EcoR
Soil: Acidic, Well-drained Loam, Sandy Loam
Moisture: Average to Moist
Light: Full to Part Sun
Plant Height: 8 to 12 feet
Plant Width: 8 to 12 feet
Pests: Viburnum leaf beetle
Landscape Value: Makes a good screen or informal hedge. Useful as a windbreak and for erosion control.
A deciduous shrub with numerous arching stems and dark green, maple-like leaves that turn purplish-red in autumn. Showy, flat-topped clusters of white flowers bloom spring to early summer and yield bright red berries that persist through winter. Berries attract robins, cedar waxwings, and other songbirds, as well as game birds and small mammals. Plants maintain a symbiotic relationship with predatory insects, secreting a sweet nectar that attracts wasps, ants and some flies, which then protect against harmful caterpillars. As plants are self-infertile and require cross pollination, two or more plants are recommended for reliable fruit production. Arching stems and dense form make shrubs a popular choice for screening hedges. For a solid screen, space plants four feet apart. Shrubs can be pruned to maintain size, and pruning should be done right after flowering. Larval host for several butterflies and moths, including Spring Azure butterflies. Berries are tart and make excellent jams and jellies. For optimal taste, berries should be collected after the first frost. Leaves can be brewed to make tea.
1 gallon pot, 18-24 inches tall
Photo credits:
Arbor Day Foundation
Missouri Botanical Garden
