Viburnum opulus - Guelder Rose

The Guelder Rose isn’t a rose at all, but a Viburnum. Also known as the Snowball Tree, it is one of our most attractive native shrubs with excellent wildlife and garden value. With showy leaves which develop good autumn colour, large heads of white flowers and huge bunches of glistening red berries, it has a very long season of interest.

Site and soil

The Guelder Rose does well in most soils and situations, including damper sites and shade. Good in coastal areas and exposed situations.

Height and spread

Below are the approximate stages of growth, assuming sited in suitable conditions for this species;

After 10 years: 5m x 4m
After 20 years: 5m x 4m

Leaf and bark

The leaves are jagged and rather maple-like, with 3 lobes. They are dark green, turning to red before leaf fall in autumn. The bark is greyish-brown with longitudinal cracks.

Flower, seed and fruit

The flowers of the Guelder Rose are flat lace-cap flowers about 3cm across borne in May/June. The centre of the flower is composed of small tubular fertile flowers, the outer ring of showy, flat infertile florets. The fertile flowers mature in large clusters of shining translucent red berries.

Uses

Wildlife hedges, woodland, specimen shrub, game cover. The berries are edible, but rather bitter. They are made into a spirit in Siberia, and in Canada they are sometimes used as a substitute for cranberries. The wood is used for skewers, and the bark is used medicinally.

Wildlife

Insects, including the Marmalade Hoverfly are attracted to the flowers, and many birds, including the redwing and the Mistle Thrush eat the berries.