Guelder Rose

(Viburnum opulus)

Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus)

Fulvio Spada from Torino, Italy

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Fulvio Spada from Torino, Italy

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Viburnum opulus, commonly known as Guelder Rose, is a deciduous shrub native to a variety of habitats including moist deciduous forests, forest edges, and along streams throughout Europe, northwest Africa, and central Asia. It typically grows to 4–5 m (13–16 ft) tall and equally wide, with a rounded form. The leaves resemble those of some maples and are lobed, with a wrinkled surface and deeply impressed venation. In late spring to early summer, it produces showy, white flowers in large cymes, with a ring of larger, sterile flowers surrounding smaller, fertile ones. These are followed by bright red berries, which are attractive to birds and other wildlife but are toxic to humans when raw. The bark is gray and rough, adding to its winter interest.

Guelder Rose is valued for its ornamental features, including the lacecap flower heads, vibrant autumn foliage that turns a reddish-purple, and the winter berries. It is used in mixed borders, as a specimen plant, or for naturalistic plantings, and is also popular for creating wildlife-friendly gardens. It thrives in full sun to part shade, prefers moist but well-drained soil, and tolerates a range of pH levels, including moderately alkaline conditions. ’Roseum’ (syn. ’Sterile’, ’Snowball’) is a popular cultivar with all sterile flowers, forming large, snowball-like clusters. While generally low-maintenance, Viburnum opulus can be susceptible to pests like viburnum leaf beetles and diseases such as leaf spot. It is potentially invasive in some regions, such as the northeastern United States, and should be planted with caution outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 10-15 feet
Width: 10-15 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Fragrant, Hedges, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Moist deciduous forests, forest edges, and along streams throughout Europe, northwest Africa, and central Asia

Other Names

Common Names: Cramp Bark, Guelder-Rose, European Cranberrybush, Common Snowball, European Cranberry Viburnum, European Highbush Cranberry, Cranberry Viburnum, Water Elder, Almindelig Kvalkved, Kvalkved

Scientific Names: , Viburnum opulus, Viburnum roseum, Viburnum nanum, Viburnum opulus var. roseum, Viburnum americanum, Viburnum glandulosum, Viburnum oxycoccos, Viburnum opulus subsp. roseum, Viburnum opulus var. europaeum

GBIF Accepted Name: Viburnum opulus L.