Viburnum

The Viburnum genus includes over 200 mostly deciduous shrubs and small trees. Their flowers are extremely attractive; white or pink (the marginal ones are larger and serve to attract pollinating insects), collected in corymbose or paniculate flattened or rounded inflorescences. Fruit-round or ovoid red, blue or black drupe-poisonous. Blooms in May-June, fruits ripen by September. Viburnum carlesii is a deciduous shrub with oval leaves and very fragrant waxy flowers. Viburnum David (V. davidii) is a compact (no higher than 1.5 m in height) evergreen plant with oval leathery dark green leaves with protruding veins. The flowering period falls on May-June. Expanded viburnum (V. dilatatum) has rounded leaves, pubescent on both sides, white flowers, scarlet fruits. The variety 'Iroquois' is very much appreciated because of the inflorescences consisting of an innumerable number of white flowers. Viburnum lantana - not to be confused with the real lantana camara (Lantana camera), - a shrub with falling leathery oval-oblong leaves and white flowers blooming in May-June. Viburnum vulgaris (V. opulus) is an erect deciduous species with dark green leaves and white, very fragrant flowers that bloom in May. In autumn, red glossy fruits ripen. Garden form of viburnum vulgaris-viburnum Boule de Neige - with sterile snow-white flowers in spherical inflorescences. Viburnum pubescent (V. tomentosum) is a deciduous shrub with horizontally arranged branches that give it a characteristic shape. In May-June, white flowers bloom, collected in inflorescences. Of the numerous existing varieties, the following are worthy of attention: 'Mariesii' with almost horizontal arranged branches and larger flowers than those of the botanical species; 'Folded' - inflorescences in pink tones; dwarf decorative form 'Rowallan'. The Mediterranean viburnum, or tinus, is an evergreen species with characteristic oval-oblong leaves of dark green color. Flowers in buds are pink, open-white. Tolerates pruning well, grow it in a protected place. There are many forms, including 'French white' with white flowers.

The Viburnum genus includes over 200 mostly deciduous shrubs and small trees. Their flowers are extremely attractive; white or pink (the marginal ones are larger and serve to attract pollinating insects), collected in corymbose or paniculate flattened or rounded inflorescences. Fruit-round or ovoid red, blue or black drupe-poisonous. Blooms in May-June, fruits ripen by September.

Viburnum carlesii is a deciduous shrub with oval leaves and very fragrant waxy flowers.

Viburnum David (V. davidii) is a compact (no higher than 1.5 m in height) evergreen plant with oval leathery dark green leaves with protruding veins. The flowering period falls on May-June.

Expanded viburnum (V. dilatatum) has rounded leaves, pubescent on both sides, white flowers, scarlet fruits. The variety 'Iroquois' is very much appreciated because of the inflorescences consisting of an innumerable number of white flowers.

Viburnum lantana - not to be confused with the real lantana camara (Lantana camera), - a shrub with falling leathery oval-oblong leaves and white flowers blooming in May-June.

Viburnum vulgaris (V. opulus) is an erect deciduous species with dark green leaves and white, very fragrant flowers that bloom in May. In autumn, red glossy fruits ripen. Garden form of viburnum vulgaris-viburnum Boule de Neige - with sterile snow-white flowers in spherical inflorescences. Viburnum pubescent (V. tomentosum) is a deciduous shrub with horizontally arranged branches that give it a characteristic shape. In May-June, white flowers bloom, collected in inflorescences. Of the numerous existing varieties, the following are worthy of attention: 'Mariesii' with almost horizontal arranged branches and larger flowers than those of the botanical species; 'Folded' - inflorescences in pink tones; dwarf decorative form 'Rowallan'.

The Mediterranean viburnum, or tinus, is an evergreen species with characteristic oval-oblong leaves of dark green color. Flowers in buds are pink, open-white. Tolerates pruning well, grow it in a protected place. There are many forms, including 'French white' with white flowers.

Cultivation

Viburnum can be used both in group plantings: in flower beds, hedges and borders, and in single ones. Some species, such as viburnum laurel, or Mediterranean, can be grown in flower boxes and huge pots on balconies and terraces. Plants are planted in the open ground in September-October or March-April. This crop likes fairly fertile and well-drained soils, and too loose and dry soils are not suitable for it.

Location

In general, it does not matter where to plant viburnum - in the open sun or in partial shade. However, species with early blooms need a place protected from the winds.

Temperature

Most of these shrubs are hardy, they can withstand any air temperature well.

Watering

It is necessary only for young specimens, immediately after planting in the open ground for a permanent place. Adult plants are watered only if the ground is really dry in conditions of prolonged drought.

Care

Regular pruning of viburnum is not required. This operation is performed when you need to remove damaged branches or thin the crown. Species with early flowering are pruned in April, spring-summer flowering-in late summer.

Reproduction

The most common method is cuttings. In June-July, cuttings with a "heel" about 10 cm long are taken from the side shoots and planted in a mixture of sand and peat taken in equal parts, maintaining the temperature at 16 °C. After the roots appear, the cuttings are planted singly in cups and allowed to winter in a cool room closed from frost. Then every spring they are transplanted into new containers (necessarily larger), and after 2-3 years they are finally planted.

Diseases

In general, viburnum is a fairly stable, not capricious plant, but it is affected by pests and diseases - fungal infections. Among the pests, aphids are often found-Aphis fabae, A. viburni, which prefer shoots and inflorescences. They get rid of them with the help of insecticidal preparations against aphids. Damage to the leaves is caused by the viburnum leaf beetle (Galerucella viburni), as well as some butterflies, which are treated with special insecticides. Worms suck out the sap, and the rabble settles on the paddy they deposit. They are removed with a cloth soaked in alcohol, after which the plant is processed anticoccidal drugs. Spots on the leaves are caused by fungi: the causative agent of cercosporosis (from the genus Cercospora) and Phylosticta lantanoides. Rust pathogens (from the genus Puccinia) cause brownish spots on the leaves. In all these cases, the plants are treated with fungicides. Verticillous wilt-wilt caused by Verticillium albo-atrum, manifests itself in blockage of the vessels of the xylem-conducting system of plants, after which the plant can only be discarded.

Acquisition

Viburnum seedlings are easily found in gardening centers and nurseries. Buy best in the fall or late winter, when the plants can immediately be planted in a permanent place in the garden.