Viburnums are lovely, often highly scented, hardy flowering garden shrubs, known as one of the most versatile of plants with attractive foliage, it will grow happily in any moderate soil as long as not too wet or waterlogged, in full sun or partial shade.
There are between 150 and 175 species of Viburnum coming in an enormous range of shapes and sizes, deciduous and evergreen. It is said that in prehistoric times the long straight shoots of some species were used as shafts for arrows and the bark is used in herbal medicine.
The deciduous species are known for their fantastic hues of autumn colour before the foliage drops. Evergreens tend to have a deep glossy leaf with flowers produced over the winter such as Viburnum Tinus (Lauistinus) and Viburnum Tinus Eve Price, making for excellent hedges large and small depending on which species chosen. Nearly all will flower, some with heady scents to add to the enjoyment of them whether planted as a hedge, in borders or as specimen plants or even in some cases medium sized trees.
Flowers heads of viburnum are usually either flat topped similar to that of lacecap hydrangeas or snowball types with globe or dome shape flower clusters. Some varieties such as the highly ornamental deciduous Viburnum Bodnantense Dawn, flower on bare branches over the winter months giving pretty and scented interest over the cold dank months, gorgeous along a walkway to the house with the fragrance flowing along as you go.
The pompom flowers, acid green turning to brilliant white, of one of the oldest viburnums on record Opulus Roseum (snowball bush), a garden favourite, give the most delightful effect bobbing around like snowballs planted either as an ornamental hedge or a specimen shrub.
This variety is a highly ornamental deciduous shrub with dark green leaves that are bronze when young and very fragrant pink flowers from autumn until spring.
The Snowball Bush as it is often called is an ornamental variety of Guelder Rose with large round creamy white flowers in summer and autumn foliage of purple and red.
This is a slightly more compact form of Viburnum Tinus with deeper pink buds and beautiful pink tinged flowers from November to May. A stunning shrub.
Lauristinus is a bushy evergreen shrub with dark green foliage and white flowers emerging from pink buds during November through to May. Good for coastal sites.
