Viburnum, Viburnum

shrub of the family Caprifoliaceae (Glossy abelia, Kolkwitzia, Honeysuckle, black Elder, Viburnum, Weigela).

Etymology: "Viburnum" comes from Latin viburnum - of viere, to "braid ".
Height: shrubs of 1-4 m tall.
Origin: Mediterranean periphery.
Habitat: most viburnum support shade (for more details, see the list of the favourite habitats) and prefer deep soils, humus. Avoid the windy zones.
Hardiness: zone 7 (it supports cold until -17 °C or 1 °F).
Deciduous or persistent foliage.

Viburnum, Viburnum tinus

Shape: rounded, thick dome, graduated branches.
Red smooth bark.
Tough, persistent leaves.
White flowers, of 0,6 cm in diameter, 5 petals joined at the base, 6 stamens, grouped in corymbs 5-10 cm in diameter. They appear at the end of autumn and give dark fleshy fruits with metallic reflexions which stay in spring, when other viburnums flourish.

Viburnum opulus, Viburnum opulus

Etymology: "opulus" comes from Latin opalus, which indicates a maple.
Origin: Europe, North Africa.
Lifespan: 80-100 years.
Height: shrub of 2-3 m tall. Quick growth and many suckers.
Habitat: margins of forests, of streams, hedges. Viburnum opulus prefers humid soils. Altitude tolerated until 1500 m tall.
Hardiness: zone 6 (it supports cold until -23 °C or -9 °F).
Leaves: deciduous, opposite, 3 toothed lobes; petiole provided with 2 glands in the apex.
Flowers: green, then white, in compact bunch. Two kinds of flowers: those outside, on a rank, are sterile, they have 5 very spreading unequal petals. Those of the centre are smaller and less delightful.
Fruits: red, shining and very fleshy and remaining for a long time on trees (size of a redcurrant), in rather loose clusters.
Use: decorative garden shrub. The cultivated species has only "sterile" flowers identical to those of the external crown of the inflorescence of the wild species. Thus it does not bear fruit and the inflorescence of a very pure white forms no more umbel but "snow" "bowl".
Its fruits contain the saponin and the specific essence, called "Viburnine"; these two principles are toxic and can cause annoyance and gastroenteritises. However, homeopathy is used to treat pain in the abdomen in women during menstruation and irritation of the ovaries.

Leatherleaf Viburnum, Viburnum rhytidophyllum

Origin: Centre and west of China.
Hardiness: zone 6 (it supports cold until -23 °C or -9 °F).
Height: 3-5 m tall.
Rate of Growth: fast.
Shape: in dome, based on many feet (shruby tree).
Persistent foliage. Leaves oblong, 15-20 cm thick, prominent veins on the underside, which is tomentose and clear.
White or yellowish flowers, grouped in cymes, appearing in May-June.
Fruits: red drupes, of 0,5 cm long, ovoid, not edible (only the drupes of Viburnum lontago are edible). Fruiting requires as many species in two separate feet so as to ensure cross-pollination. If the plant is obtained by cuttings, it will have the same genes (clone) and do not suit.
Use: decorative shrub of garden, of fact notably of its fructification in winter.

Sweet Viburnum, Viburnum odoratissimum

Origin: The odorous viburnum is native to Asia (India, Burma, China, Japan, Philippines).
Hardiness: zone 8 (it supports cold until -12 °C or 10 °F).
Habitat: The odorous viburnum supports drought, with an occasional watering, in sunny position.
Height: 3 - 5 m tall.
Shape: in bowl.
Leaves: persistent, oval, of 6 cm long, tough, bright green top.
Flowers: white, sweet-scented in May-June.
Fruits: oval drupes lengthened by 5 mm long, by orange colour. Fruits are grouped, as flowers, and appear at the end of summer. They make of this shrub a nice autumn ornament.

Advices of maintenance:
to favour growth and to reduce risks of bacterial diseases it is necessary to cut the old branches.