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Summary
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early spring, Late spring, Mid spring. Form: Oval, Upright or erect .
Physical Characteristics
Viburnum opulus is a deciduous Shrub growing to 5 m (16ft) by 5 m (16ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to July, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soils.
It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge; Bog Garden;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked[2, 3, 5, 46]. The fruit is up to 8.5mm in diameter but with a large seed[200]. A sour taste, it is best cooked. The crushed fruit has an unpleasant smell[4]. Used as a cranberry substitute in making, jellies, preserves etc[183]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity at top of the page.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antispasmodic Astringent Birthing aid Homeopathy Sedative
Guelder rose is a powerful antispasmodic and is much used in the treatment of asthma, cramps and other conditions such as colic or painful menstruation[254]. It is also used as a sedative remedy for nervous conditions[254]. The bark is antispasmodic, astringent and sedative[4, 9, 46, 165, 213]. The bark contains 'scopoletin', a coumarin that has a sedative affect on the uterus[238]. A tea is used internally to relieve all types of spasms, including menstrual cramps, spasms after childbirth and threatened miscarriage[9, 222, 238]. It is also used in the treatment of nervous complaints and debility[4, 46, 165, 213]. The bark is harvested in the autumn before the leaves change colour, or in the spring before the leaf buds open. It is dried for later use[238]. The leaves and fruits are antiscorbutic, emetic and laxative[4, 222]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh bark[9]. It is used in the treatment of menstrual pain and spasms after childbirth[9].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye Hedge Hedge Ink Wood
A red dye is obtained from the fruit[13]. An ink can be made from the dried berries[4]. Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[29], they are rather bare in winter though[K]. The wood can be used to make skewers[4].
Special Uses
Food Forest Hedge Hedge
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Screen, Specimen. An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations[1]. It prefers a deep rich moist loamy soil in a sunny position[11]. Succeeds in semi-shade but does not grow or fruit so well in such a position[186]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and on chalk[184]. Does not do well on very acid soils. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[200]. A very ornamental plant[1], it is hardy to about -30°c[184] and is often grown in the flower garden. There are many named varieties[184]. Guelder rose regenerates quickly if it is cut to the ground, it can also produce suckers and will often form thickets[186]. The plant is an alternative host for the broad bean aphid[11]. Special Features:
Not North American native, Naturalizing, Attractive flowers or blooms. In garden design, as well as the above-ground architecture of a plant, root structure considerations help in choosing plants that work together for their optimal soil requirements including nutrients and water. The root pattern is fleshy. Thick or swollen - fibrous or tap root [2-1].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking more than 18 months. If the seed is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has fully ripened) and sown immediately in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[80]. Stored seed will require 2 months warm then 3 months cold stratification and can still take 18 months to germinate[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of soft-wood, early summer in a frame[200]. Pot up into individual pots once they start to root and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm long with a heel if possible, July/August in a frame[78, 113]. Plant them into individual pots as soon as they start to root. These cuttings can be difficult to overwinter, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame until the following spring before planting them out[113]. Cuttings of mature wood, winter in a frame. They should root in early spring - pot them up when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if sufficient new growth is made, otherwise keep them in a cold frame for the next winter and then plant them out in the spring. Layering of current seasons growth in July/August. Takes 15 months[78].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia (southeast)), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russian Federation (Kurile Islands, Primorye, Amur), China (Anhui Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Nei Mongol Zizhiqu, Xinjiang Uygur Zizhiqu), Korea, Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu) NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec (south), Nova Scotia, Ontario (south), Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta (south), Manitoba (south), British Columbia (south)), United States (Indiana (north), Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio (north), Pennsylvania, Vermont, West Virginia, Connecticut, Iowa (north), Minnesota, Nebraska (Douglas Co.), North Dakota, South Dakota, Illinois (north), Wisconsin, Idaho (north), Washington, Wyoming (Crook Co.), Virginia (north)) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Former Yugoslavia, Albania, Bulgaria, Italy, Romania, France
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Viburnum betulifolium | | Shrub | 3.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Viburnum cassinoides | Withe Rod, Appalachian Tea, Witherod Viburnum, Witherod, Wild Raisin Viburnum | Shrub | 2.5 |
2-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Viburnum cordifolium | Viburnum | Tree | 6.0 |
8-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Viburnum corylifolium | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum cotinifolium | | Shrub | 3.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Viburnum cylindricum | | Shrub | 5.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Viburnum dentatum | Arrow Wood, Southern arrowwood, Southern Arrowwood Viburnum | Shrub | 4.5 |
2-8
| F | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Viburnum dilatatum | Linden Viburnum, Linden arrowwood | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Viburnum edule | Mooseberry, Squashberry | Shrub | 2.5 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Viburnum erosum | Viburnum | Shrub | 1.8 |
6-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Viburnum erubescens | | Shrub | 5.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Viburnum erubescens gracilipes | | Shrub | 5.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Viburnum farreri | Culver's root, Fragrant Viburnum | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Viburnum foetens | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Viburnum fordiae | | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum furcatum | | Shrub | 3.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | S | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum grandiflorum | Cranberry bush, | Shrub | 2.0 |
6-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Viburnum japonicum | | Shrub | 1.8 |
6-9
| S | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Viburnum lantana | Wayfaring Tree, Wayfaring Tree Viburnum | Shrub | 5.0 |
4-7
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Viburnum lantanoides | Hobbleberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
3-7
| | LMH | FSN | M | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Viburnum lentago | Sheepberry, Nannyberry, Nannyberry Viburnum | Tree | 9.0 |
2-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Viburnum mongolicum | | Shrub | 2.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum mullaha | | Shrub | 3.0 |
8-11
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Viburnum nudum | Smooth Withe Rod, Possumhaw, Withe-rod, Swamp Haw, Smooth Witherod, Possum Haw Viburnum, Possum Haw | Shrub | 4.5 |
5-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | |
| Viburnum odoratissimum | Sweet Viburnum | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-10
| S | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum phlebotrichum | | Shrub | 2.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum plicatum | Japanese Snowball, Japanese Snowball Viburnum, Doublefile Viburnum | Shrub | 4.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Viburnum prunifolium | Stagberry, Black Haw, Hybrid blackhaw, Smooth Blackhaw, Blackhaw Viburnum | Tree | 7.5 |
3-9
| S | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Viburnum rufidulum | Southern Black Haw, Rusty blackhaw | Shrub | 12.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 1 |
|
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
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