Viburnum Flowers

Viburnum Flowers Photos And Facts

Name : Viburnum Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Viburnum, (Viburnum carlesii)
Viburnum Description

Viburnum is a genus comprising of about 150-175 species of shrubs or small trees in the family Adoxaceae. Viburnums are native throughout the temperate Northern Hemisphere, with a few species extending into tropical montane regions in South America and Southeast Asia; whereas, in Africa, the genus is confined to the Atlas Mountains.

Common names for the Viburnum flower include Guelder Rose, Water Elder, European Cranberrybush, Cramp Bark, and Snowball Tree. The common name 'Guelder Rose' appears to have originated due to the fact that a popular cultivar, the Snowball tree, supposedly first originated in the Dutch province of Gelderland. The species name “opulus” is derived from the Latin word “opulentus,” which means “splendid” or “sumptuous,” for the blooms’ magnificent appearance. Viburnum gets the common name “Cramp Bark” due to its painkilling properties.

Viburnum is a versatile genus and species vary greatly in form and habit. The cool temperate species of Viburnum are deciduous, while most of the warm temperate species are evergreen. Some Viburnum varieties are densely hairy on the shoots and leaves, with star-shaped hairs. Viburnum is also famous for its unique and attractive foliage. Leaves vary in size, texture, and colour according to the species and may be rounded or lance-shape, and entire or toothed around the edges. Most deciduous Viburnum varieties have great fall colour, ranging from yellow to red to burgundy, depending on the species or cultivar. The variety V. acerfolium or Mapleleaf Viburnum turns purple to rosy in the fall.

Eye-catching Viburnum flowers are abundant and delicate, and are produced in corymbs 5-15 cm across. Each Viburnum flower is white to cream or pink, small, about 3-5 mm across, with five petals. Some varieties have strongly fragrant flowers. Some Viburnum species also have a fringe of large, showy sterile flowers round the perimeter of the corymb to act as a pollinator target.

Viburnum flowers vary in shape and size according to species. These blossoms are borne in terminal or axillary panicles, clusters, corymbs, or cymes. The flowers are often spherical or dome shaped, hence the common name Snowball. Some Viburnum species have flowers similar to the flattened heads of lacecap hydrangeas. Bloom times for Viburnum varieties span early spring through June and are followed by attractive fruit and outstanding fall foliage.

Many Viburnum species bear ornamental fruits in late summer or fall. Viburnum fruit is a shiny spherical, oval or somewhat flattened berry in red to purple, yellow, blue, or black shades. Some varieties are edible though many others like Viburnum opulus are mildly poisonous to people and may cause vomiting when eaten in large quantities.

Viburnums are easy to grow and maintain. Most Viburnum varieties grow in any moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Some viburnums may prefer dry soil. Viburnum can be propagated by seed, but the process is labour-intensive. An easy option is to take softwood cuttings summer, when a 6-inch terminal branch snaps when bent.

Viburnum is a perfect garden plant that is ideal for landscaping. Viburnum will fill up and enliven the shady, dry spots of your garden where nothing else seems to grow. The fragrant varieties do great near windows and balconies, their fragrance appealing the inhabitants in spring time. Viburnum can create height in the back of a border or in pots on each side of a terrace entrance, under planted with annuals. The fruits are appealing to birds and other wildlife, thus bringing beautiful visitors to your garden.

Viburnum is a popular cut flower as well and has a vase life of 5-7 days. The beautiful, fragrant flowers along with the unique, colourful and attractive foliage are an asset for floral artists. The shiny berry covered stems are also used to add texture and gloss to flower arrangements. With such great assets and adaptability, the Viburnum is a favourite for wedding and high-end floral design.

Popular species, hybrids, and cultivars of Viburnum include: The hybrid Viburnum × bodnantense (V. farreri × V. grandiflorum), which is particularly popular for its strongly scented pink flowers on the leafless deciduous shoots in mid to late winter. Viburnum carlesii comes with round white flower heads, strong fragrance, dense structure, and reddish autumn foliage. Viburnum davidii is an evergreen variety from China with blue fruit. Viburnum dentatum has flat-topped flowers, a bluish fruit, and reddish leaves in autumn. The cultivar 'Blue Muffin' is a more compact form than the species and has a deeper blue fruit. Viburnum dilatatum also has flat-topped flowers, reddish leaves in autumn and bright red fruit that persists into winter.

Viburnum Meaning

The lovely and attractive Viburnum symbolizes Commitment, and Thoughts of Heaven. The variety Viburnum opulus represents the meaning Ennui, while Viburnum tinue signifies Delicate Attentions.

Viburnum is also the birthday flower for the month of May.

Viburnum opulus is known as Kalyna in Ukraine and is the National symbol of Ukraine. Accounts of Viburnum can be traced throughout the Ukrainian folklore such as songs, picturesque art and Ukrainian rushnyky. Chervona Kalyna was the anthem of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army.

In Ukraine, Viburnum or guelder rose symbolizes both Fighting Spirit as well as the more traditional Symbol of Beauty. In Ukraine, a girl’s beauty is compared to the Guelder Rose and girls 'like Guelder Roses' appear in Ukrainian songs.

Viburnum Mythology

In Siberia, Viburnum opulus or guelder rose berries were sometimes fermented and distilled into an alcoholic drink.

In prehistoric times, the long straight shoots of some Viburnum varieties were used for making arrow-shafts, like those found with Ötzi the Iceman.

The fruit of some Viburnum species like Viburnum lentago are edible and can be eaten raw or in the form of jam or jellies. The bark of some Viburnum varieties is used in herbal medicine, as an anti-spasmodic and to treat asthma. As a homeopathic remedy, Viburnum opulus is used to treat obstinate hiccups; vertigo; eye soreness; headaches, neck aches and backaches; as well as menstrual cramps, morning sickness and false labor pains. It is also believed to prevent miscarriages.