Japanese snowball Viburnum plicatum
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Japanese snowball:
- Description
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Japanese snowball is a large deciduous shrub with showy white pom-pom flowers in the Viburnaceae (viburnum) family. It can be grown in various conditions, but prefers a moist loam.
Two different forms of this plant are available in commerce. They are the Japanese snowball bush and the Doublefile Viburnum. The main differences between these varieties are as follows:
Japanese snowball bush:
- sterile 2-3" diameter cymes form along the branches
- showy flowers
- the flowers are not fragrant
- no fruits
Doublefile Viburnum:
- fertile flat-topped 2-4" diameter cymes form along tiered horizontal branches
- non-showy flowers
- when fertilized, egg shaped fruits and seeds are produced
Depending on the variety, the flowers can be showy or non-showy, fragrant or non-fragrant, with or without fruits, and fertile or non-fertile.
If pruning is required, it should be done soon after the plant has finished flowering. Next season's blossoms will appear on new growth.
This plant is listed as invasive in many parts of the US. Along with other plants that are considered invasive, it competes with native plants for space, water, sunlight and necessary nutrients. It is said that invasive plants also alter native plant communities, which can lead to the degradation of wildlife lands, water quality and possibly even increase the erosion of soils.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious disease or insect issues.
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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- 'Mary Milton'
Less invasive than other varieties - 'Spellbound'
- 'Trizam'
5' to 6' - Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Copper Ridges'
- Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Pink Beauty'
- Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Shasta'
- 'Mary Milton'
- 'Mary Milton', 'Spellbound', 'Trizam', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Copper Ridges', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Pink Beauty', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Shasta'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Mary Milton'
Less invasive than other varieties - 'Spellbound'
- 'Trizam'
5' to 6' - Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Copper Ridges'
- Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Pink Beauty'
- Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Shasta'
- 'Mary Milton'
- 'Mary Milton', 'Spellbound', 'Trizam', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Copper Ridges', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Pink Beauty', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Shasta'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Viburnum
- Species:
- plicatum
- Family:
- Viburnaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Commonly used as a hedge.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China, Japan, Taiwan
- Wildlife Value:
- Frequently visited by butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Easy to Grow
- Edible fruit
- Dimensions:
- Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 18 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Erect
- Horizontal
- Multi-stemmed
- Rounded
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- 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:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Description:
- The egg-shaped fruits are fleshy.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Depending on the variety, the flowers can be showy or non-showy, fragrant or non-fragrant, with or without fruits, and fertile or non-fertile.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The dark green leaves have a pleated upper surface and are deeply veined.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark of an adult plant can be ridged or pleated, also thin and smooth.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Multi-stemmed.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Weedy
