Viburnum lantana
Wayfaring tree, Wayfaring viburnum
- Height × spread
- 4m × 4m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This is a large plant that may be seen growing in hedges on the chalky South Downs of England. It makes a soft looking shrub with good-sized, soft looking leaves. When young the leaves feel like felt, a characteristic that remains on the underside of the leaves of mature plants. There are dome shaped clusters of creamy white flowers in May and June. These are followed by clusters of small shiny berries that change from scarlet to black. There is often red colour in autumn before leaf fall.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Red
- Fruit colour
- Black, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet
- Shape
- Bell
- Height
- 4m
- Spread
- 4m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, likes light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Structural, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird attraction, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Deer
- May be browsed by deer
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed young plants with slow release fertiliser
Spread a slow release fertiliser around the base of the plant to the edge of the foliage spread, so that it can feed the roots. It is helpful for this to be applied for several years.
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost until the plant becomes well established.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Spring-Summer · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
Give the plant a light haircut, generally tidying it up and removing any shoots that are wayward or damaged in any way. Dead flowers can be cut off if this is practical - the shrub may have too many, or they may be hard to reach.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
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