European Snowball Viburnum Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- vy-BUR-num OP-yoo-lus
- Description
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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.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Flowers are sterile so no fruits produced
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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
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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
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Bark Description:
- Gray-brown waxy bark
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stem is light gray-brown, ribbed.
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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
