Viburnum betulifolium (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Full sun to light shade
Flowering period: Early summer
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 3m
Eventual Spread: 2.5m
Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
Family: Adoxaceae
Viburnum betulifolium is a deciduous shrub with a rounded loose habit. Its dark green leaves are ovate with serrate margins, up to 9cm long and 6cm broad. Its white hermaphrodite flowers appear as flattened corymbs which are up to 12cm across. Its red fruit are berries, are up to 6mm across, appear as pendent clusters in autumn and persist on the plant through the winter months.
Viburnum betulifolium Berries (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Viburnum betulifolium, commonly known as Birchleaf Viburnum, is native to central and west China. In its native habitat it grows in forests and scrub.
The etymological root of the binomial name Viburnum is from the old Latin name for the Wayfaring tree (Viburnum lantana Betulifolium is derived from Betulus meaning ‘Birch (tree)’ and Latin folium meaning ‘leaf’.
The landscape architect may find Viburnum betulifolium useful as a large shrub with attractive berries which are attractive to wildlife.
Ecologically,
Viburnum betulifolium Leaf (21/10/2013, Kew Gardens, London)
Viburnum betulifolium prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
Viburnum betulifolium requires little maintenance. Any necessary or formative pruning should be carried during the winter months.
