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| Viburnum opulus
European cranberrybush viburnumCulture: This is one of the easiest of the viburnums to grow, being adaptable to many sites and soils. This pH-adaptable species performs best in slightly moist well-drained soils. The best flower and fruit displays are produced in full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. Aphids are a common pest, causing curling of the foliage and flowers. Aphids are especially a problem on the cultivar 'Roseum', but they are farily easy to control. Borers are also a possible problem.Usage: [ITALIC] The European cranberrybush viburnum has a wide range of uses in the landscape, including: borders, screens, massing, and specimens. The valuable fruit and flower displays of this plant make it a worthwhile addition to any yard. Renewal pruning is helpful to keep this shrub looking its best. Unfortunately, this species may have weedy tendencies since birds spread its seeds. In areas of the Midwest and East, the native American counterpart, Viburnum trilobum should be cultivated instead. Many cultivars are available. A similar but more coarsely textures species is Viburnum sargentii, Sargent viburnum. The sargent viburnum has leaves with an extended middle lobe and similar flowers and fruits to Viburnum opulus. An interesting selection of the sargent viburnum is 'Onondaga' with new leaves that are strongly purple, fading to a less intense purple as they mature. Some of the purple color also occurs in its flowers. I have witnessed Verticillium problems on this cultivar. |
