European Cranberrybush Viburnum

Viburnum opulus

Honeysuckle Family (Capifoliaceae)

▲ mature shrub

▲▼ leaves

▲ flowers in spring on S. Kings in Springfield, MO

▲▼ fall fruit

▲▼ fall fruit

▲▼ fall fruit

Location near campus:  in Shrub Garden toward southwest end of Close Park,  just east of parking area

European Cranberrybush Viburnum - Viburnum opulus:

·         leaves deciduous, opposite, simple, palmately three-lobed; leaves dark green above and glabrous; glabrous to pubescent on leaf undersides; leaves 2-4" long and equally wide or wider

·         stems are light gray-brown, glabrous and ribbed longitudinally

·         grows to 15' tall and wide with upright, spreading growth habit with arching branches

·         flowers are white, in terminal clusters; larger outer flowers are sterile and more showy; central fertile flowers less showy; fruit is a red drupe ripening in early fall

·         prefers full sun to part shade; soil adaptable, and tolerates wet soils well

·         medium growth rate

o   cultivar Viburnum opulus ‘Sterile’ has all sterile flowers and flower clusters look like large white snowballs or hydrangea flowersC sometimes is called snowball bush viburnum—  this cultivar produces no fruit

o   cultivar Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ is similar to species, but has smaller leaves, twigs and flower clusters; this cultivar grows only 2-5’ tall—better for smaller landscapes