Introducing...
Viburnum
Viburnums are versatile, easy-to-grow shrubs that thrive in a wide range of situations. There are many to choose from, large or small, evergreen or deciduous, with winter, spring or summer flowers
Looks
These shrubs produce rounded or flat clusters of white or pink flowers, often highly fragrant, in winter, spring or summer. These may be followed by ornamental berries in a range of colours. Some keep their leaves all year (evergreen), others lose them over winter (deciduous).
Likes
Viburnums grow well in any reasonably fertile soil in sun or light shade. Many are also tolerant of chalky soils.
Dislikes
Viburnums dislike poor, dry soils and very wet conditions. They tend to flower poorly in deep shade.
Did you know?
For reliable fruiting, plant two or more similar viburnums close together, to ensure cross-pollination.
Growing guide
How to grow viburnum
All the information you need to grow and care for viburnum in your garden.
Viburnum we recommend
Viburnum rhytidophyllum
wrinkled viburnum
- 2.5–4 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Viburnum × carlcephalum
fragrant snowball
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Viburnum rhytidophyllum
wrinkled viburnum
- 2.5–4 metres
- 2.5–4 metres
Viburnum × carlcephalum
fragrant snowball
- 1.5–2.5 metres
- 1.5–2.5 metres
Useful advice
Fragrant plants
Non-berrying woody plants
Plants for winter interest
Trees and shrubs: establishment problems
Trees and shrubs: native to Britain
Trees and shrubs: removing suckers and seedlings
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.