Viburnum Mariesii (Japanese Snowball Tree)
Viburnum plicatum var. mariesii
Overview
Viburnum Mariesii is a stunning deciduous shrub that brings exceptional seasonal interest to any garden. This elegant Japanese native is prized for its distinctive horizontal branching pattern and spectacular spring flower display, making it a true showstopper in the landscape. Often called the Japanese Snowball Tree, this variety offers a more refined, architectural form compared to its traditional snowball cousins.
Key Features
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Mature Size: 1.5-2 metres tall × 1.5-2.5 metres wide
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Growth Rate: Moderate (30-45cm per year)
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Hardiness: Fully hardy (RHS H6, -20°C and below)
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Soil Type: Moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
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Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
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Flowering Period: May to June
Distinctive Characteristics
Flowers
The highlight of Viburnum Mariesii is its breathtaking spring flower display. Large, flat-topped flower heads (10-12cm across) appear in late May and early June, creating distinctive white lacecap blooms that seem to float along the horizontal branches. The flowers consist of small, fertile inner flowers surrounded by larger, sterile outer florets that provide the showy white display.
Foliage
The pleated, oval leaves emerge fresh green in spring, providing an attractive backdrop to the flowers. In autumn, the foliage transforms into rich shades of burgundy, purple, and crimson, extending the plant's seasonal appeal well into October.
Growth Habit
Perhaps the most striking feature is the plant's tiered, horizontal branching structure. The branches grow in distinct layers, creating a wedding cake-like silhouette that provides excellent architectural interest even in winter when bare.
Fruit
Following the flowers, small red berries develop in late summer, gradually turning black by autumn. These provide food for birds and add another layer of ornamental value.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Thrives in fertile, moisture-retentive soil that doesn't become waterlogged. Prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Will tolerate clay soils if drainage is adequate, but struggles in very dry or chalky conditions.
Light Requirements
Performs best in full sun to partial shade. In shadier positions, flowering may be reduced, but the plant will still produce its characteristic branching pattern.
Watering
Regular watering during dry spells is essential, particularly in the first few years after planting. Once established, it has reasonable drought tolerance but performs best with consistent moisture.
Planting and Care
Planting
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Best Time: October to March (avoid frozen ground)
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Spacing: Allow 3-4 metres from other large plants
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Preparation: Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball, incorporate well-rotted compost
Ongoing Care
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Pruning: Light pruning immediately after flowering if needed. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches in late winter
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Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring and mulch around the base with organic matter
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Watering: Deep weekly watering during dry periods in growing season
Garden Uses
Specimen Planting
Excellent as a standalone feature plant where its architectural form can be fully appreciated. Particularly effective on lawns or in large borders.
Mixed Borders
Combines beautifully with other spring-flowering shrubs, providing structure and seasonal interest. Partners well with azaleas, camellias, and ornamental grasses.
Wildlife Garden
The flowers attract beneficial insects including bees and hoverflies, while the berries provide autumn food for birds.
Seasonal Interest
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Spring: Fresh green foliage emergence
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Late Spring/Early Summer: Spectacular white flower display
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Summer: Attractive green foliage and developing berries
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Autumn: Stunning foliage colour and black berries
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Winter: Architectural bare branches with interesting structure
Companion Plants
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Hostas for contrasting foliage texture
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Heucheras for year-round colour beneath
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Spring bulbs (daffodils, bluebells) for early interest
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Japanese maples for complementary autumn colour
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Ornamental grasses for textural contrast
Common Varieties
While Viburnum Mariesii is distinctive in its own right, gardeners might also consider:
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V. plicatum 'Pink Beauty' - similar form with pink-tinged flowers
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V. plicatum 'Grandiflorum' - larger, fuller flower heads
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V. plicatum 'Cascade' - more pronounced weeping habit
Care Tips for Success
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Patience: Young plants may take 2-3 years to develop their characteristic horizontal branching
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Mulching: Annual mulching helps retain moisture and suppress weeds
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Positioning: Choose the final position carefully as mature plants don't transplant well
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Avoid Overhead Watering: Water at soil level to prevent fungal issues on foliage
This remarkable shrub rewards the patient gardener with years of multi-seasonal beauty, making it an invaluable addition to any medium to large garden seeking structure, elegance, and reliable performance.
Buying Shrubs from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we sell a variety of shrubs both evergreen and deciduous with a variety of flowering times throughout the year. At certain times of the year our shrubs you buy from us may not look like the images shown on our website when deciduous leaves have fallen, the shrub has finished flowering or has been trimmed back.
Some leaves on evergreen shrubs can be damaged in winter by frost or harsh winds but in spring new leaves will readily replace those damaged. This is quite normal on many evergreen varieties and is preferable to plants grown with excessive protection that show cold shock once planted out and establish less satisfactory initially.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
* Please Note: Shrubs in 20 litre pots and above might require a pallet delivery starting at £79.99 per pallet. Depending on the exact pot size and height it may be possible to get approximately 5 plants per pallet at no extra cost. The maximum height we can dispatch on a pallet is 2.0m, this includes the height of the pallet and pot.
Shrubs are deciduous or evergreen woody plants, and often provide fragrant flowers, berries and foliage. They are good for structural framework, and they can provide a wonderful shelter and food source for wildlife.
Planting and Conditions
Container grown shrubs can be grown at any time of year. It is a little known fact that shrubs planted in the autumn and winter will be easier to look after than those planted in the spring and summer, because they will have time to establish and become hardy in the cooler months.
Plant the shrub at the same depth as it was in its original pot. Planting too deeply can result in root and stem rot.
One of the biggest causes of death in new shrubs is drought stress, so keep it well watered until it’s established.
Make sure you loosen the soil prior to planting. Most shrubs are tolerant of most soil types as long as it is fairly well draining.
Most shrubs will grow happily in containers, but they will be much more demanding on feeding and watering than shrubs in the ground would be. They will also need potting on every couple of years so that they don’t suffocate or become stunted in their pot.
Aftercare and Pruning
Once established, shrubs generally do not require much water. However, at first they need careful, frequent watering and should not be left to dry out.
Shrubs in the ground are generally not demanding and in most cases, annual feeding with general purpose fertilizer will suffice. Shrubs in containers may need more feeding; usually from early spring until late summer.
Shrubs also benefit from mulching in order to supress weeds, conserve moisture and provide vital nutrients. Mulch also greatly improves soil conditions. Shrubs can be mulched in late winter, after fertiliser has been applied, but it can be mulched through autumn to late spring as long as the ground is damp.
All shrubs benefit from dead-heading once spent flowers become apparent. Rhododendrons and Lilac especially benefit from the removal of dead flowers.
Some shrubs may show signs of reverted growth or ‘sporting’. This is where random shoots of different leaves associated with the plant’s parentage begin to appear. Most commonly this is where plants with variegated leaves sprout pure green growths instead of variegated ones.
To control reversion, remove reverted shoots promptly to discourage them. Reverted shoots are usually much more vigorous than the variegated ones, and thus should be completely pruned out and cut back into wood containing variegated foliage.
Potential Issues
Although shrubs are usually very robust garden plants, they can sometimes start to decline with no apparent or obvious reason.
This will start with browning leaves, which could indicate plant stress due to lack of water or waterlogging, an establishment failure or, in the worst case scenario, honey fungus. Another cause of leaf browning is a high salt content in the soil. This could be a natural occurrence, especially if you live near the ocean, or it could be from over fertilisation.
To remedy a high salt content, cut back on fertiliser and step up your watering regime for the next few weeks. If you live by the ocean, this will be harder to remedy—but stepping up your watering will help to wash some of the salt away all the same.
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£11.99 |