Gardening Magazine

Viburnum Macrocephalum ‘Sterile’

By Davis Landscape Architecture @DavisLandArch

Viburnum macrocephalum 'Sterile' Wall Trained (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ Wall Trained (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Late spring to early summer

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 4m

Eventual Spread: 4m

Hardiness: 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Family: Adoxaceae

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ is a semi evergreen shrub with a rounded to vase shaped habit. Its dark green leaves are elliptic with serrulate margins, up to 10cm long and 4cm across. Its white sterile flowers are up to 3cm across and appear in dense globose clusters which are up to 20cm across.

Viburnum macrocephalum 'Sterile' Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ Flower (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

The species Viburnum macrocephalum, commonly known as Chinese Snowball, is native to China. In its native habitat it grows in forests and thickets.

The etymological root of the binomial name Viburnum is derived from the classical Latin name for Wayfaring tree, Viburnum lantana. Macrocephalum is derived from the Latin macro meaning ‘large’ and cephalus meaning ‘a blockhead’, in reference to its large flowers.

The landscape architect may find Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ useful as a shrub which produces many attractive flowers in late spring. It may also be trained as a hedge.

Viburnum macrocephalum 'Sterile' Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ Leaf (22/05/2016, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically, Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ is of little value to wildlife.

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.

Viburnum macrocephalum ‘Sterile’ requires little maintenance. Any necessary pruning should be carried out after flowering.

DAVIS Landscape Architecture

Landscape Architecture


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