Disappointing Snowballs!

9 years ago

I've posted to Garden web before about these stupid viburnums So disappointed. First, I bought what I thought was a macrophyllum but turned out to be a opulus. So I got another one. Its been three years now. I don't what types of viburnum these are and I'm disappointed because others have reported that in three years their bush is higher then a 6ft fence. Mine is only maybe 3x3.

Can anyone say what kind of viburnums these are. What I want is a snowball. Are these white flowers going to develop into that or is this as good as it gets:(

Featured Answer

laceyvail 6A, WV

9 years ago

And start buying your shrubs from a quality nursery; you'll get the correct ones.

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Comments (7)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
9 years ago
Sorry, but neither of those are going to produce the rounded snowball like flowers. There are three kinds of snowball viburnum - Chinese snowball (Viburnum macrocephalum) , Japanese snowball (Viburnum plicatum) and European snowball (Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' aka 'Sterile'). And both V. plicatum and opulus produces forms that do NOT produce the rounded snowball flowers but the flatter, lacecap type ones of your photos.

Not sure of the first but that could be one of the doublefiles, Viburnum plicatum tomentosum. The second looks to be Viburnum trilobum by the leaf shape.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
No those are never going to be snowballs. I would suggest you buy your next Viburnum when the plant is in flower. You need to be looking for Viburnum opulus 'Roseum' or V macrocephalum 'Sterile'.

ETA posting at the same time as GG. Forgot the Japanese one.
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madakatude6a
Original Author
9 years ago
Wow...ready to dig them up!
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
9 years ago
Oh, that's a pity. They're beautiful. They're just not snowballs.
madakatude6a
Original Author
9 years ago
I probably wont dig them up. They are pretty just not what I wanted. Does anyone know if this will get really big and bushy. I live in full sun but I planted them behind my fence so they get the six feet of shade. So they're in a partially shaded area.
Embothrium
9 years ago
Both are likely to get above 6 ft.