Viburnum setigerum
Tea viburnum
Also known as Viburnum theiferum
- Height × spread
- 3.5m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- 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
Often grown for the drama of its egg-shaped autumn fruits that hang from the arching stems in profuse clusters, succulent and glistening red, apparently almost translucent once they have been frosted. They will eventually turn black but may be eaten by birds before this happens. In May or June there are dome-shaped clusters of white flowers. Some people can detect a faintly unattractive aroma coming from the flowers. The broad leaves are dark green, and turn to dark plum before leaf fall. The shrub tends have bare leggy stems as it matures and is best sited behind small shrubs or herbaceous plants. It comes from western China and the leaves were used to make a sweet tea by the monks of Mount Omei. The tea was said to have medicinal qualities.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Purple-plum
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Round
- Height
- 3.5m
- Spread
- 3m
- Height in 10 years
- 2m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Screening, Structural, Bee attraction
- 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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