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Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'

Phonetic Spelling
vy-BUR-num OP-yoo-lus
Description

European Snowball Viburnum has been produced in Europe since the 16th century and is one of the most recognized of the viburnums. The shrub can grow to 12 feet tall with a 12-15 foot spread and a dense rounded crown. In May it produces large clusters of sterile green flowers that mature to white and then pink. They make good cut flowers and no fruits are produced. The leaves are maple-tree shaped and have reddish-orange fall color.

This shrub prefers moist well-drained loams but is tolerant of other soils in full sun to partial shade. Use in the shrub border, as a foundation plant, a specimen, or as a hedge. 

Quick ID

  • OPPOSITE, 4-5 lobed, toothed, maple-like leaves
  • Prominent, concave, disk-like glands on petiole
  • Persistent linear stipules
  • HUGE white, snowball-shaped spring inflorescence

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests and diseases.

More information on Viburnum opulus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#shrub#easy to grow#green flowers#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#deer resistant#foundation planting#cutting garden#fantz#shrub borders
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#deciduous#drought tolerant#specimen#white flowers#shrub#easy to grow#green flowers#deciduous shrub#low maintenance#deer resistant#foundation planting#cutting garden#fantz#shrub borders
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Viburnum
    Species:
    opulus
    Family:
    Viburnaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Europe
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Flowers are sterile so no fruits produced
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The inflorescence is a globose cluster (cyme) up to 4 inches across. Individual 1 inch sterile flowers are green to white, aging to light pink. Blooms in May
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Soft green leaves are opposite, simple, 3-5 lobed, lobes acute, truncate, coarsely toothed; narrowly grooved petioles with large disk-like, concave glands; persistent linear stipules. Fall color is orange-red
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Bark Description:
    Gray-brown waxy bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Stem is light gray-brown, ribbed.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Lawn
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Foundation Planting
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought