Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ Wall Trained (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Adoxaceae

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ is a semi evergreen shrub with a rounded to vase shaped habit. Its dark green leaves are elliptic with serrulate margins, up to 10cm long and 4cm across. Its white sterile flowers are up to 3cm across and appear in dense globose clusters which are up to 20cm across.

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Viburnum macrocephalum, commonly known as Chinese Snowball, is native to China. In its native habitat it grows in forests and thickets.

The etymological root of the binomial name Viburnum is derived from the classical Latin name for Wayfaring tree, Viburnum lantana. Macrocephalum is derived from the Latin macro meaning ‘large’ and cephalus meaning ‘a blockhead’, in reference to its large flowers.

The landscape architect may find Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ useful as a shrub which produces many attractive flowers in late spring. It may also be trained as a hedge.

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ is of little value to wildlife.

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ requires little maintenance. Any necessary pruning should be carried out after flowering.



Landscape Architecture

Viburnum sieboldii

Viburnum sieboldii (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 7m

Eventual Spread: 5m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Adoxaceae

Viburnum sieboldii is a deciduous large shrub or small tree with an open habit. Its dark green leaves are elliptic with serrate margins, up to 10cm long and 6cm broad. Its leaves have a distinctive fragrance when crushed. Its white hermaphrodite flowers appear as flattened corymbs which are up to 15cm across. Its fruit are oval drupes, initially red maturing to black, are up to 12mm long and appear in clusters in autumn.

Viburnum sieboldii Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Viburnum sieboldii, commonly known as Siebold Viburnum or Siebold’s Arrowwood, is native to Japan. In its native habitat it grows in thickets.

The etymological root of the binomial name Viburnum is from the old Latin name for the Wayfaring tree. Sieboldii is named after Phillip Franz von Siebold (1796-1866), German physician and naturalist.

The landscape architect may find Viburnum sieboldii useful as a large shrub with attractive flowers and berries which are attractive to wildlife.

Viburnum sieboldii Leaf (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Viburnum sieboldii flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its berries are attractive to some birds.

Viburnum sieboldii prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Viburnum sieboldii requires little maintenance. Any necessary or formative pruning should be carried during the winter months.

Viburnum utile

Viburnum utile (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Early spring

Soil: Well drained

Eventual Height: 2m

Eventual Spread: 2m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a

Family:  Adoxaceae

Viburnum utile (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

Viburnum utile is an evergreen shrub with a rounded habit. Its dark green glossy leaves are ovate with entire margins, up to 7cm long and 3.5cm broad. Its white waxy fragrant flowers are up to 8mm across, arranged in the form of umbel like cymes which are up to 7cm across. The fruit of the plant is a blue/ black drupe, up to 6mm across.

Viburnum utile, commonly known as Service Viburnum or Quick Snowball, is native to central China. Viburnum utile is one of the parents of Viburnum x burkwoodii and its cultivars.

Viburnum utile Flower (19/04/2014, Kew Gardens, London)

The etymological root of the binomial name Viburnum is from the Latin name for Viburnum Lantana, or the Wayfaring Tree. Utile is derived from the Latin utilis meaning ‘useful’.

Although rarely available, the landscape architect may find Viburnum utile useful as a medium sizes evergreen shrub with attractive, fragrant spring flowers.

Ecologically, Viburnum utile flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Its fruit is attractive to some species of birds.

Viburnum utile Leaf (16/11/2013, Kew Gardens, London)

Viburnum utile prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil, including acidic soils.

Viburnum utile requires little maintenance.