Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Lanarth'
During spring many trees and shrubs come into flower and give wonderful affects with hazy white clouds of blossom abounding around the garden. Viburnums are a large group of shrubs with many flowering in the spring and one that stands out for its shape and form is Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Lanarth' which has tiered, horizontal branches covered in heads of large white flowers. This particular species can be admired at Hyde Hall in the Hilltop Garden, in a mixed border alongside the Shrub Rose Border where its form can be fully appreciated.
Vital statistics
- Common name
- Japanese Snow Ball Bush
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Height & spread
- 3m (10ft) 4m (12ft)
- Form
- Spreading, bushy, deciduous shrub.
- Soil
- Any moist but well-drained, deep, humus-rich soil.
- Aspect
- Sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- Fully hardy
Viburnum
A genus of about 150 or more species of evergreen, semi-evergreen, and deciduous shrubs, sometimes trees, from thickets, and woodlands mainly in northern temperate regions, but extending to S.E Asia and South America.
All virburnums other than V. macrocephalum, which should be grown against a wall, are suitable for any shrub border and specimen plantings.
The national plant collection of Viburnum is held at RHS Garden Hyde Hall.
Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Lanarth'
The cultivar 'Lanarth' is cultivated for its larger than normal flowers. Some species of Viburnum, such as V. opulus, are good wildlife plants as they produce high energy berries for birds and deer.
Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained conditions, in deep, rich, loamy soil in sun or partial shade.
- Honey fungus and leaf spot can be problematic.
Propagation
- Propagation is by softwood cuttings taken in early summer for deciduous viburnums, and semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer for evergreen species. Hardwood cuttings taken in early autumn can also be used for deciduous winter flowering species.
- Seeds can be sown in containers or in a seed bed in the autumn but cultivars may not come true.