Are you looking for a beautiful flowering shrub to add to your garden? Viburnums are a great choice! They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and are easy to grow and maintain.
In this blog, we’ll discuss eight of the best viburnums to grow. From evergreen varieties to those that produce fragrant blooms, you’re sure to find one that will be a perfect fit for your garden.
We’ll also discuss the best growing conditions, care tips, and more. So, if you’re ready to learn about the best viburnums to grow, read on!
Eight of the best viburnums to grow
Viburnums: one of the most versatile and beloved group of plants to grow in UK gardens. With over 150 species of viburnum, ranging from evergreen varieties to deciduous varieties, there is something suitable for every garden.
When choosing a viburnum to grow in your garden, it’s important to consider the climate you live in, their height and spread, and colour of the flowers and berries. To help you make the right decision, here are eight of the best viburnums to grow in UK gardens. Viburnum plicatum ‘Shasta’ is a large, deciduous shrub with white, lace cap flowers that pop against the green, lacy foliage.
It’s an incredibly popular choice and perfect for medium to large gardens. The flowers appear in April and then give way to good clusters of white berries in spring. This variety of viburnum is disease and pest-resistant, making it a good choice if you have limited time to spend on maintenance.
The Viburnum macrocephalum is a hardy shrub that’s drought-tolerant once established. It’s an evergreen variety that grows to a metre tall and has large, pink-tinged white flowers, with a pleasant sweet honey fragrance.
This variety is also very resilient to disease and is ideal for filling gaps in your garden borders and planting in a container. The Viburnum opulus is a classic choice for UK gardens.
This fast-growing shrub has stunning clusters of snowy-white flowers and then give way to red fruits that attract birds. This deciduous variety is also easy to maintain and can thrive in a range of soil types. For less formal gardens, the Viburnum rhytidophyllum is perfect.
This evergreen species enjoys sun or light shade and has dark green foliage, with creamy-white flowers in the summer. The foliage is often used as a backdrop in garish and winter gardens, as it retains its colour throughout the year. For more heavily shaded gardens, the Viburnum awabuki is a great choice. This Japanese viburnum is a vigorous evergreen variety that grows tall and wide and thrives in sunny and partly shaded areas. The rigid foliage has an attractive glossy shine and in fall, the clusters of cream-white flowers give way to small, redfruits. The Viburnum davidii is an evergreen shrub with leather-like leaves, that has prettybell-shaped white flowers and then produces tiny fruits. This early-flowering evergreen is perfect for foundational planting and works well in small gardens. Viburnum burkwoodii is another popular choice, and is perfect for medium to large gardens. This evergreen variety has fragrant pink-white flowers in April and then produces red berries in late spring. Finally, the Viburnum tinus works well in container gardens and produces flowers throughout the winter. This evergreen shrub has glossy leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers and is a great choice for shady spots. The choice of eight different viburnums means that no matter what your climate, soil type, and garden size, there’s sure to be one that appeals to you. With the right choice, these plants will help you to create stunning displays and attract wildlife.
Planting and care tips for viburnums
Eight of the best viburnums to grow: Many UK gardeners will be familiar with the viburnum plant, a genus of deciduous and evergreen shrubs or trees that are known for their fragrant, lacy blooms. Fortunately for busy gardeners, viburnums are fairly low maintenance and can be grown in both sun and shade. Here we have listed eight of the best viburnums to grow so you can choose the perfect addition to your garden.
Viburnum tinus is an evergreen shrub with glossy leaves and fragrant inflorescences. It is tolerant of any soil, including clay and sand, and blooms from November to March in shades of pink and white.
Viburnum opulus is a flowering deciduous shrub with small white flowers. It is a great choice for hedges or screens, as it is fast-growing and can tolerate a range of different soils.
Viburnum carlesii is a deciduous variety which produces clusters of white fragrant flowers in the Spring and Summer months. This low-maintenance shrub can tolerate a range of different soils, from sandy to heavy clay, and produces beautiful pink-tinged foliage in the Autumn. Viburnum plicatum is an attractive deciduous plant, with large lacy white flowers in the Spring and attractive foliage in the Autumn months.
It is a fast-growing shrub and can tolerate a range of different soils including clay and sand. Viburnum davidii is an evergreen flowering shrub which produces beautiful white flowers in the Spring, followed by brightly coloured red berries in the Autumn. This is an ideal choice for a mixed hedge, and can tolerate both sun and shade.
Viburnum juddii is a deciduous shrub with fragrant clusters of pink or white flowers in the Spring, followed by glossy red berries in the Autumn. This attractive shrub prefers a well-drained soil and full sun, although it will also tolerate a range of other soils and some shade.
Viburnum lantana is a low-maintenance shrub which produces clusters of white flowers in the Summer months and is ideal for shady areas. This is a fast-growing variety and will tolerate a range of different soils, although it needs a deep, rich soil for optimal growth. Viburnum setigerum produces fragrant white flowers in the late Spring and early Summer and can tolerate a range of soils and sun or shade. Whether you’re looking for an evergreen shrub for a shady area or a deciduous one for a sunny spot, these viburnums will be sure to provide you with a wide range of colours and scents for your garden. To ensure your viburnums thrive, plant them in well-drained soil and make sure they are watered regularly during dry periods. Additionally, pruning should be done in late Winter or early Spring, before new growth appears. With a little bit of care and attention, your viburnums will be sure to provide you with years of enjoyment.
Common problems with viburnums
Viburnums are one of the best shrubs for UK gardens, with their lush foliage, multiple flower and berry varieties, and hardy nature. However, it is important to select the right viburnums for your garden, as these attractive and useful plants can suffer from common problems. Here we discuss eight of the best viburnum species to plant in your UK garden, and we provide advice on how to prevent and combat any potential issues.
Firstly, the most popular viburnum for UK gardens is Viburnum opulus, also known as the snowball bush. These shrubs are renowned for their beautiful, snowball-like white flower clusters, but they can be prone to fungal diseases such as leaf spot, powdery mildew, and rust.
To reduce the risk of fungal diseases, it is important to choose a well-draining planting site, water the base of the plant, avoid overhead irrigation, and wait until late in the season to prune. Additionally, snipping off any affected leaves, and spraying with a fungicide such as sulphur or copper is sometimes required. Another great viburnum for UK gardens is Viburnum plicatum, which produces an array of white flowers from mid-spring followed by red-fleshed blue berries in autumn.
This species is susceptible to fungal diseases and aphids, so keeping an eye out for symptoms is important. Avoid planting in overly damp sites, water the base of the plant, and use an insecticidal soap spray for treating any aphid infestations.
In addition, prune and clean up any fallen leaves to prevent fungal spores from spreading and overwintering. Viburnum lantana, also known as the wayfaring tree, is another popular viburnum that is renowned for its fragrant flowers and purplish-black berries.
This species is known to be vulnerable to honey fungus, so it is important to plant in an area that is not prone to water-logging and use the right compost when planting. In the event that honey fungus is present, it is essential to prune away all affected stems and root systems, as well as gravely disturbed soil around the plant. By choosing the right species, you can ensure that your viburnums remain healthy and attractive in your UK garden.
Other ideal viburnums include Viburnum tinus, Viburnum davidii, Viburnum burkwoodii, Viburnum carlesii, Viburnum japonicum, and Viburnum laurustinus. Whilst some of these may be prone to fungal diseases, mildews, and aphids like those mentioned above, correct planting and pruning techniques, as well as good hygiene, can help to prevent problems.
Conclusion
Viburnums are a great addition to any garden, providing an abundance of color and texture. With so many varieties to choose from, it can be hard to decide which ones are best for your space. Here are eight of the best viburnums to grow, from low-maintenance evergreen varieties to showy flowering varieties.
Whether you’re looking for a large hedge or a small accent shrub, there’s a viburnum that’s perfect for you.
FAQ
What are the benefits of growing viburnums?
The benefits of growing viburnums include providing attractive foliage, fragrant flowers, and berries that attract birds and other wildlife. Viburnums are also low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making them a great choice for gardeners looking for an easy-care shrub.
What are the most popular varieties of viburnums?
The most popular varieties of viburnums include Viburnum opulus (European cranberrybush), Viburnum plicatum (Japanese snowball bush), Viburnum tinus (Laurustinus), Viburnum carlesii (Koreanspice viburnum), Viburnum trilobum (American cranberrybush), and Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring tree).
How do you care for viburnums?
To care for viburnums, water them regularly, prune them in late winter or early spring, fertilize them in early spring, and protect them from pests and diseases.
What are the best climates for growing viburnums?
The best climates for growing viburnums are those with mild winters and cool summers, such as USDA hardiness zones 5-8.
How long do viburnums take to mature?
Viburnums typically take 3-5 years to reach full maturity.
What are the most fragrant viburnums?
The most fragrant viburnums are Viburnum carlesii, Viburnum x bodnantense, Viburnum x burkwoodii, and Viburnum tinus.
