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Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Summer Snowflake'
  • RHS AGM

Japanese snowball 'Summer Snowflake'

A bushy, deciduous shrub with heart-shaped, deeply-veined dark green leaves that turn red-purple in autumn. Flattened heads of lacecap-like flowers extend along the branches and above the foliage. Each flower has an outer ring of large, showy, snow-white, sterile florets surrounding the central group of small fertile florets and are produced in late spring with a few flowers in late summer; red fruits follow and ripen to black

Synonyms
Viburnum plicatum 'Summer Snowflake'

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Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer Green
Autumn Purple
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Viburnaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows well in most moderately fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
Pruning

Pruning group 8. Tolerates hard renovative pruning

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and viburnum beetle

Diseases

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

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