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