Viburnum opulus - Guelder Rose
Overview
Viburnum opulus, commonly known as guelder rose or European cranberrybush, is a stunning deciduous shrub native to Britain and Europe. This versatile plant offers exceptional seasonal interest with its distinctive lobed leaves, spectacular spring flowers, vibrant autumn colour, and brilliant red berries that persist into winter. As a true British native, it's perfectly adapted to our climate and provides invaluable wildlife benefits.
Key Features
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Distinctive foliage: Three-lobed, maple-like leaves with excellent autumn colour
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Showy spring flowers: Large, flat-topped white flower clusters in May and June
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Brilliant berries: Translucent red fruits that glow like jewels in autumn
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Autumn spectacle: Leaves turn stunning shades of yellow, orange, and red
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Native heritage: Indigenous British plant supporting local ecosystems
Plant Characteristics
Botanical name: Viburnum opulus Common names: Guelder rose, European cranberrybush, water elder Plant type: Deciduous shrub Mature height: 4-8m Spread: 3-4m (10-12 feet) Growth rate: Moderate to fast Flowering period: May to June Fruiting period: August to February
Growing Conditions
Light requirements: Full sun to partial shade (flowers and colours best in sun) Soil type: Moist, well-draining soil; tolerates heavy clay and wet conditions Soil pH: Neutral to slightly alkaline (6.0-7.5) Hardiness: RHS H7 (hardy to -20°C or below) Water needs: Moderate to high; appreciates consistent moisture
Planting and Care
Planting time: Autumn to early spring (avoid frozen ground) Spacing: 2.5-3m apart for informal hedging, 4m for specimens Watering: Regular watering, especially during dry spells Feeding: Apply well-rotted compost or balanced fertiliser in spring Pruning: Prune lightly after flowering; remove old wood every few years Propagation: Hardwood cuttings in winter or softwood cuttings in summer
Garden Uses
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Specimen planting: Outstanding focal point in larger gardens
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Mixed borders: Excellent backbone plant for shrub borders
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Wildlife gardens: Exceptional value for native birds and insects
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Woodland edges: Perfect for naturalising in informal settings
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Seasonal interest: Four-season appeal in larger landscapes
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Cottage gardens: Traditional choice for informal, naturalistic plantings
Companion Plants
Combines beautifully with other native shrubs like hazel, elder, and blackthorn. Pairs well with spring bulbs, wild flowers, and moisture-loving perennials such as astilbe, ligularia, and candelabra primulas.
Benefits for Wildlife
Outstanding wildlife value - the flowers attract numerous beneficial insects including bees, hoverflies, and beetles. The berries are a vital food source for over 20 species of birds, particularly thrushes, bullfinches, and waxwings. The foliage supports various moth caterpillars.
Seasonal Interest
Spring: Fresh green foliage emerges followed by magnificent white flower clusters Summer: Attractive green berries develop; lush foliage provides good structure Autumn: Spectacular leaf colour from yellow through orange to deep red Winter: Brilliant red berries persist, providing colour and bird food
Varieties and Cultivars
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'Roseum' (Snowball Tree): Sterile form with large, round white flower balls
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'Compactum': Smaller growing variety, ideal for limited spaces
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'Aureum': Golden-leaved form, best in partial shade
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'Xanthocarpum': Unusual yellow berries instead of red
Growing Tips
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Plant in moisture-retentive soil for best performance
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Benefits from annual mulching to conserve soil moisture
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May be affected by aphids - these rarely cause lasting damage
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Berries are bitter when raw but can be cooked for jellies and preserves
Special Notes
The guelder rose is steeped in British folklore and has been valued for centuries both for its ornamental qualities and traditional uses. The berries, while bitter, are rich in vitamin C and have been used medicinally. This shrub is particularly valuable in wildlife gardens as it supports the complete lifecycle of many native species.
Conservation Value
As a native species, Viburnum opulus is especially important for supporting indigenous wildlife populations and maintaining biodiversity. It's an excellent choice for gardeners interested in sustainable, environmentally beneficial plantings.
Perfect for: Wildlife enthusiasts, gardeners with larger spaces, those seeking four-season interest, cottage garden styles, naturalistic plantings, and anyone wanting to support native British flora and fauna while enjoying spectacular seasonal displays.
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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