VIBURNUM or GUELDER ROSE

Viburnum opulus is commonly known as guelder rose or snowball tree. It is a shrub, with heads of globular lace-cap type flowers, from pale green to creamy white. Flower heads from a pale green to white. The guelder rose's leaves colour richly in late summer/autumn, followed by bunches of berries, glistening red and translucent.

Native to Europe, it came about in the Netherlands spontaneously in 1591.

It has flowering branched in the spring and summer and berried branches in the Autumn. Usually available from December through to March, and is largely associated as a winter flower, and popular as a Christmas flower. The Victorias associated the flower with old age.

It is from the Honeysuckle (Caprifolicaeae) family. There are two forms of the shrub, fertile and infertile, the sterile being a white headed blossom more often known as snowball, or snowball tree. The fertile form is more common known as guelder rose.

Viburnum will wilt very quickly if left out of water. When cutting the stem, make a clean diagonal cut using a sharp knife. Remove leaves and place in deep water to condition before arranging.

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