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Viburnum lantana

common wayfaring tree

© RHS 2002
Sold by 27 nurseries

  • Other common names common wayfaring tree
    cotton tree

    coven tree
    lithy tree
    mealy tree
    the cottoner
    twistwood
    wayfaring tree

    see more

  • Family Adoxaceae

  • 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

  • Details V. lantana is an upright deciduous shrub with finely toothed, broadly ovate grey-green leaves and domed clusters of small tubular white flowers in late spring, followed by ovoid red fruits which ripen to black

  • Plant range Europe Asia Africa

Characteristics

  • Foliage Deciduous

  • Habit Columnar/Upright

  • Toxicity The fruit can cause a mild stomach upset if ingested

  • 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

Sunlight

  • Full Sun

  • Partial Shade

  • Aspect South-facing or North-facing or West-facing or East-facing

  • Exposure Exposed or Sheltered

Soil

  • Sand

    Sand

  • Clay

    Clay

  • Chalk

    Chalk

  • Loam

    Loam

  • MoistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained

  • SoilSand, Clay, Chalk, Loam

  • pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral

Size

  • Ultimate height 2.5-4 metres

  • Ultimate spread 2.5-4 metres

  • Time to ultimate height 10-20 years

How to grow

Cultivation Suitable for shrub border or woodland garden. Grow in any moist but well-drained soil

Propagation Propagate by seed, softwood and semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types Hedging & Screens Low Maintenance Wildlife Gardens

How to care

Pruning Pruning group 8

Pests Aphids and viburnum beetle may be a problem

Diseases May be affected by a leaf spot

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