Coral viburnum (Viburnum’s wealth ‘Roseum’) has been considered one of the most impressive deciduous shrubs in Central European gardens for years. In Polish conditions grows up to 2-3 meters highwhile maintaining the natural symmetry that makes it look attractive all year round, even before the flowers appear. It does not require specialized care, yet it can give the garden the character known from luxurious residences.
The most spectacular moment occurs in late spring. In May and early June the bush becomes covered dozens of snow-white balls with a diameter of 8-10 centimeters. Each inflorescence consists only of fertile flowers, i.e. flowers that do not produce nectar or pollen. Thanks to this, the balls are exceptionally dense and perfectly regular, which gives them an almost geometric appearance, comparable to varieties of garden hydrangeas. The difference is this viburnum does not require acidic soil or precise pH control – it grows well in average garden soil, and its flowering does not depend on complicated care treatments.
After flowering, the leaves take over the attention – three-lobed, intensely green, with distinct veins. With the arrival of autumn, they change color to shades of red, orange and burgundy, becoming the main decoration of the season.
They are increasingly losing to the coral viburnum because it tolerates drought, temperature fluctuations and soils with average parameters better. Garden hydrangeas require acidic soil, regular watering and soil salinity control – otherwise they bloom less, their leaves lose their intense green color or the bush dies completely. Viburnum ‘Roseum’ growing in soil with a neutral reaction, tolerates slightly clayey soils and does not react with a decline in condition to periodic dryness. Its root system is deeper and more extensive, so the plant can use water accumulated in the lower layers of the soil. In regions with irregular rainfall, especially in southern and central Poland, this translates into a lower risk of losses in the summer season.
Another argument is frost resistance and predictable flowering. Hydrangeas often lose flower buds after snowless winters or as a result of spring frosts, so the decorative effect is very random. blooms on last year’s shoots, but its buds are much less sensitive to temperature drops. The shrub does not require covering and easily tolerates winters even in colder parts of the country. It blooms regularly, every year, regardless of the winter.
Kalina it does not require specialized fertilizers, rarely gets sick and is rarely attacked by pests. We cut it once a year, after flowering, without the risk of losing the decorative effect in the next season.
The spherical inflorescences of the viburnum look as if carved from porcelain, that’s why it looks best as a solitaire – a single accent against the background of the lawn or in a representative part of the property. Greenery designers are also increasingly using it in… multi-genre compositionsespecially where a shrub with a stable shape and predictable growth is needed. In combination with meadowsweets, barberries or cotoneasters, it creates a contrast based on differences in textures and colors of leaves.
The best results will be achieved if we plant the viburnum in sunny or slightly shaded places. In deep shade, it blooms more modestly, but the bush itself remains healthy and well-colored. Fertile and moderately moist soil favors intensive growth, but the plant can also cope with average, slightly clayey and even periodically dry soil.
It is worth planning planting for spring or autumnwhen the soil maintains natural moisture. The hole should be twice the size of the root ball, because then the young roots will grow more easily. The addition of compost will improve the structure of the soil, and a mulch of bark or wood chips will reduce evaporation and inhibit the growth of weeds.
Pruning is done after flowering because flower buds are formed on last year’s shoots. We only remove faded inflorescences and, if necessary, thin out the inside of the bushif the branches start to cross. This variety does not set fruit – this is a side effect of the presence of only fertile flowers. For some gardeners, the lack of red fruits in autumn may be a loss, but many appreciate this feature because the bush does not self-seed and does not attract birds in excess.
