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Japanese Snowball Viburnum Viburnum plicatum

Other Common Name(s):

Description

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.

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:
  • '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', 'Spellbound', 'Trizam', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Copper Ridges', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Pink Beauty', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Shasta'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#shrub#deciduous shrub#aggressive#butterfly friendly#fall color purple#shrub borders#fall color#weed#butterfly garden#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • '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', 'Spellbound', 'Trizam', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Copper Ridges', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Pink Beauty', Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Shasta'
Tags:
#deciduous#drought tolerant#shrub#deciduous shrub#aggressive#butterfly friendly#fall color purple#shrub borders#fall color#weed#butterfly garden#hedge
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Description:
    The egg-shaped fruits are fleshy.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Multi-stemmed.
  • 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