I once said with exaggeration that if I had to take any plant to a desert island, it would probably be one of the viburnums. In the end, I would probably choose a utility species, but that doesn’t change the fact that these charming bushes are my heart’s content.
My relationship with viburnums has been influenced by a number of encounters with them, and with each of them I was constantly convinced of how valuable these plants can be when used well. They offer us many effects – with some species already at the end of winter, with others until late autumn, with evergreen species even a beauty lasting the whole year. Their scientific name Viburnum likelyoriginated from the Latin word “viere” which meant to weave or bend – referring to the historical use of viburnum twigs to make baskets.
Our original viburnums
In the botanical system, viburnums are included in the Muscovy family (Adoxaceae), are closely related to our well-known elderberries. The entire family inhabits various biotopes of the northern hemisphere, while there are around 200 species of viburnum alone, and dozens of other often beautiful garden varieties. In our nature, you can meet two species – the tušalaj viburnum and the common viburnum. The first-named is often referred to in one word as tušalaj, in the past it was called the poor, the banker, or very characteristically “bird bread”. Kalina guess (Viburnum lantana) it belongs to more thermophilic species, it is mainly planted in parks and is used in selected regions and in landscape plantings. Although several colorfully interesting varieties are available from it, it is not used very often in gardens.
Common viburnum (Viburnum’s wealth) is much more common, and its use is noticeably wider. It grows, with the exception of peripheral areas, throughout Europe and in places extends to the Far East. It suits wetter locations, it does not thrive in extremely dry locations. An old Czech song that asks: “Why, viburnum, are you standing in a stream, are you afraid of a severe drought?” Although we can meet viburnum in various regions of the northern hemisphere, the northern Slavic peoples have developed a very strong relationship with it, and they have the greatest love for it in Ukraine. This is probably due to its red fruits, which, in addition to their practical use, also have a number of symbolic meanings – as expressions of love for a girl or admiration for her beauty. The white viburnum flowers meant purity, virginity and placed on the girl’s chest were supposed to help reduce suffering. The red fruits of viburnum have a reputation for being poisonous in places. Problems after their ingestion can only occur in case of excessive consumption and have only a mild course. Especially in Eastern Europe, they are used after heat treatment to make sour jelly as a substitute for cranberries, I have never eaten the fruit in any form myself, but reliable sources say that the processed fruit does not smell very nice.
Despite the fact that even the original botanical species looks neat, mainly its varieties are grown in gardens. The most popular of them was named ‘Roseum’, sometimes called ‘Sterilae’. This tells us that it is a form that does not form fruits. On the other hand, its flowers are significantly more noticeable, they bloom in the form of white spherical inflorescences. Because of this property, it is popularly referred to as “snowball” in many languages. Its other form ‘Nanum’ is planted in containers or in the front parts of flower beds. It forms small very dense bushes that do not bloom at all or only rarely. The ideal variety for small gardens is the form ‘Compactum’. It grows to a height and width of about one meter. With a bit of luck, you can see it grafted onto a rootstock in horticultural stores. Grown in this way, it is even more compact and extremely impressive. If you offer this species good conditions – i.e. moist and slightly acidic soil – it is very easy to grow. The only disadvantage of viburnum is its great attractiveness for aphids, which like to visit it.
Winter beauty
Among the viburnums, you will find several remarkable species that bloom during or at the end of winter. There are more such species, for example viburnum viburnum (To forge viburnum) and varieties derived from it. It was this species that caught Charles Lamont’s attention in 1933 – an assistant at the botanical garden in Edinburgh, Scotland, who crossed it with another Asian viburnum (Viburnum grandiflorum). However, he was not very satisfied with the result of his experiment and left the plants obtained from crossing without much interest in their fate. A little later, the same species were used for cross-breeding by the gardeners of the now very famous Bodnant Gardens in Wales. From the seedlings, they chose a plant that they found interesting and attractive. The hybrid was named after the garden where it originated Viburnum x Bodnantense ‘Dawn’. Later, another variety was created, named in honor of the Scottish gardener ‘Charles Lamont’. These varieties differ mainly in the color saturation of the flowers. But both of them have several exceptional properties, which sign the fact that viburnums have become my love. They have a slender, vase-like growth – they tend to be relatively narrow in the lower part, slightly widening towards the top. Therefore, they fit even where there is not much space for planting. The main wave of flowering occurs in early spring at the first warming, usually in our conditions from the end of February to March. But their first flowers often try it before Christmas. They cause astonishment and excitement. When it freezes outside, it curls slightly, but when it warms up, it will come back to life. In full bloom, they smell beautifully and intensely, so they are often visited by insects looking for their first food. In autumn, their leaves acquire a nice, mainly wine-red hue.
From spring to early summer
Usually in May, other viburnum species reach their full beauty. However, there are too many to introduce you to at least most of them. Among my favorites are viburnum viburnum (Viburnum folded), sometimes also referred to as Japanese viburnum. This Asian species offers a number of varieties for cultivation, beware of them – they can be quite different from each other. The saying that there is no viburnum like viburnum will certainly apply to them. One of the first that entered my life was the variety ‘Mariesii’. It is an impressive, wide-spreading shrub growing up to three meters in height. But it is usually wider than it is tall. Its lush, horizontally growing branches are to blame. In addition to them, branches of a completely different type are formed on the bush – they grow vertically upwards and could resemble wild, unnecessary shoots to someone. Do not cut them – they are very important. Only horizontally growing shoots grow from them, which will bear flowers. These viburnums should definitely not be shaped – they are beautiful with their sprawling, light translucence and freedom of growth, which they enjoy to the fullest. We can easily cut branches growing in the wrong direction, but rejuvenation or another form of regular cutting definitely does not make sense. Fortunately, there are varieties for smaller gardens as well. There are more, I consider ‘Kilimanjaro Sunrise’ to be one of the nicest cultivars. It is characterized by a noticeably narrower height, the top of the bush tends to be narrower and really resembles the top of a mountain a little. It blooms white, but in favorable weather, the flowers can change color to a sweet pink color before falling. Some varieties of viburnum viburnum also bear fruit nicely, at one point the plant can be decorated with small red and black fruits. In good autumn weather, the leaves of viburnum turn into beautiful burgundy shades.
Green all year round
Viburnums have a lot to offer even to fans of endless green beauty. The group of evergreen species includes the well-known and often planted viburnum in parks (Viburnum rhytidophillum) and also viburnum of Prague (Viburnum x Pragense) bred after the war in our country. They are both fairly massive shrubs with coarse, dark green leaves. It is therefore suitable for larger gardens or public spaces. With the gradual changes in the weather, which also affect the outlook on gardening, there are tendencies to try species whose planting was unthinkable just a few years ago. This also includes the very interesting low David’s viburnum (David’s viburnum). It has shiny, leathery leaves and blooms profusely in good conditions. The white flowers develop into decorative blue fruits towards the end of summer, which last on the plant long into winter. However, it definitely requires sheltered habitats in warmer but not too dry areas. Of the evergreen species that have only been discovered in recent years, the blue-fruited viburnum is worth mentioning (A little viburnum). It comes from Middle Earth, but in our conditions it has a pretty high chance of survival. The variety ‘Eva Price’ in particular has a very good reputation in terms of resistance. I’ve only tried it myself for a short time, but so far it’s holding up very bravely (location 500 m above sea level). It blooms only in spring, but it starts to look beautiful from late autumn. At this time, contrasting pink buds appear in the upper parts of the shoots – it is a very decorative element. Small, interesting blue fruits form from the white flowers.
Cultivation
Most viburnums prefer deeper, humus, slightly acidic soils. If they grow in neutral soils, this can have an impact on the saturation of flowers or fruits. Slightly alkaline or neutral soils suit viburnum tušalaj. The habitat for growing viburnum should be in the sun or in moderate partial shade. In drier locations with extremely hot summers, many viburnums suffer. Evergreen species prefer shaded or semi-shaded locations, but they can also thrive in a sunny location if the soil and air are sufficiently moist. For the blue-fruited viburnum, sufficient light is decisive for the formation of flowers.
If you are starting or restoring a garden and you have favorable conditions, perhaps you could give viburnums a chance. Maybe you’ll end up like me – and viburnums will become your love.
Don’t forget
Viburnums do not benefit from shaping, their natural growth gives gardens elegance and grace. For older bushes, it is good to occasionally remove old branches from the inside of the bush. For split pieces – especially in the case of small saplings grafted onto a rootstock, it is important to check whether a shoot from the rootstock does not appear under the graft. If so, it needs to be removed, otherwise it could take over the entire cultural part of viburnum.
About the author
Pavel Chlouba decided to become a gardener at the age of 12. He graduated from high school and university in horticulture, and has devoted himself to gardens with love almost his entire life. He is the author of several gardening books and many inspirational videos. More on
You could find this article in the magazine Recipe No. 01/26.
