Winter Featured Plant
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Viburnum
opulus
European Cranberrybush Viburnum European Cranberrybush Viburnum
is a wonderful shrub for the garden, providing year-round interest,
food and shelter for birds, and an effective three season privacy
screen for the home owner. Native to Europe and parts of Central
Asia, Viburnum opulus has been used as an ornamental plant
for years.
The rounded,
thicket of branches of
European Cranberrybush Viburnum.
The
cranberry-like drupes
of Viburnum opulus.
European
Cranberrybush Viburnum may be seen here on campus growing along
the parking lot across from the southern end of the Talcott greenhouse,
and the Art Museum.
Viburnum
opulus next
to the snowbank
In the Spring, Viburnum
opulus leafs out with maple-like leaves in an opposite, alternate
pattern along gray-brown stems. In May, white flowers appear, held
in flat-topped cymes 2-3 inches in diameter. In the Fall, the leaves
turn a wonderful burgundy reddish-purple. About the same time, the
bright red, attractive berries ripen, and persist on the plant throughout
the winter. Birds, particularly Cedar Waxwings, are very fond of
the berries, and can often be found snacking during the winter.
The shrub tends to form thickets of branches, and may grow up to
10 -12' tall and 10-15' wide.
European Cranberrybush
Viburnum is somewhat easy to grow. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, V. opulus
adapts well to varied growing conditions. Cranberrybush Viburnum
does well in any moisture-retentive, average fertility garden soil
in full sun. Partial shade is also acceptable, but the shrub will
not fruit as well. Viburnum opulus will benefit from removal
of large branches.
Decorative
cymes of drupes hang
from the branches of Viburnum opulus.
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