Viburnum lantana

RHS Plant Profile
common wayfaring tree

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Viburnum lantana?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
common wayfaring tree RHS 2002

Other common names

cotton tree, coven tree, lithy tree, mealy tree, the cottoner, twistwood, wayfaring tree

Plants for pollinators
Shrubs
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
22 Suppliers

A vigorous, deciduous shrub to about 5m in height, with finely toothed, broadly ovate grey-green leaves to 12cm long, and domed clusters of small tubular white flowers in late spring, followed by oval to rounded red fruits which ripen to black

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Viburnaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamentalnot to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus
Viburnum can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs with opposite, simple or palmately lobed leaves and clusters of small, often fragrant white or pink flowers, followed by red, blue or black berries
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe Asia Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Suitable for shrub border or woodland garden. Grow in any moist but well-drained soil in sun or part shade. See viburnum cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or propagate by softwood cuttings (greenwood) in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and viburnum beetle

Diseases

May be susceptible to Phytophthora, honey fungus, grey moulds and leaf spot