Shrub
Guelder rose
Viburnum opulus
A large, very hardy deciduous shrub with white lacecap-like flowers, red autumn fruit and strong autumn colour. It grows in sun or partial shade and prefers humus-rich soil that does not dry out for long.
- Size
- 3.5–5 m high · 2.5–4.5 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Very hardy
- Seasonal form
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Allow several metres for a mature, spreading shrub and do not judge spacing from a young nursery plant.
- Choose moisture-retentive but drained soil; prolonged drought reduces vigour and the quality of the display.
- If fruit matters, check the cultivar: sterile snowball forms produce rounded flower heads but do not set berries.
Why choose it
- White spring flowers, red fruit and autumn leaf colour provide several seasons of interest from one hardy shrub.
- The flowers and fruit support a wildlife-friendly planting and the shrub can also be used in an informal screen.
Care
- Water during establishment and in prolonged dry weather, then mulch to keep the root zone evenly moist.
- Prune lightly after flowering if shape needs correcting; avoid removing all flowered growth when you want fruit.
- Remove old or damaged stems selectively rather than repeatedly shearing the whole shrub.
Good to know
- Treat the bright red fruit as ornamental rather than an edible crop; this profile does not recommend eating it.