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Viburnum opulus (Guelder rose)

Other names: Snowball tree, Water elder, Whitten tree, Ople tree, Red elder, Rose elder, Gatten tree, Marsh alder, Dog rowan, European cranberry bush, Crampbark, Dog eller, Cranberry

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Species
V. opulus is a deciduous shrub. Leaves are palmate and prominently veined. Flat clusters of white flowers appear in spring and summer, followed by bright red berries in autumn.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
5 m 4 m 10-20 years
16 ft 13 ft 10-20 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

Suggested uses

Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Coastal, Cottage/Informal, Beds and borders

UK hardiness

H6

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8

Sunset zone

A2, A3, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Low
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Moderate/Medium
High and Intermediate Desert = Inappropriate
Low Desert = Inappropriate

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Bushy

Native to

Europe, Northern Africa, Central Asia

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

Yes

Toxicity

Fruit can cause a mild stomach upset if ingested.

Plant care

Pruning

Pruning group 1 after flowering if fruit is not desired.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings

Pests

Viburnum whitefly

Aphids

Viburnum beetle

Diseases

Leaf spot

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late-summer

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in autumn

Selective pruning only (only if needed)

Take softwood cuttings

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (0)

Viburnum

Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Viburnum opulus with other Shoot members

Viburnum opulus

Shoot User
949 0
The large clusters of round, brilliant red, glossy - almost translucent - fruits remain on the plant throughout the winter and look particularly attractive against a background of snow, at least until they are eaten by birds. The common name 'guelder' comes from Gelderland, the Dutch province where the tree was first taken into cultivation.
Posted: Tuesday 2nd of June 2009 03:36 PM Last reply: Thursday 27th of February 2025 07:24 PM
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