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Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price'
Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price'
Overview
Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' is an outstanding evergreen shrub that has earned its place as one of Britain's most reliable and versatile garden plants. This compact cultivar of the Mediterranean Laurustinus offers year-round structure, extended winter flowering, and exceptional adaptability to various growing conditions. Named after the wife of nurseryman Cedric Morris, 'Eve Price' is prized for its neat habit, prolific flowering, and remarkable tolerance of challenging situations including coastal exposure and urban pollution.
Key Features
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Mature Size: 2-2.5 metres tall × 2-2.5 metres wide
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Growth Rate: Moderate (30-40cm per year)
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Hardiness: Hardy (RHS H5, -10°C to -15°C)
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Soil Type: Well-drained, tolerates most soil types
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Aspect: Full sun to partial shade
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Flowering Period: November to May (peak winter months)
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Evergreen: Yes - provides year-round structure
Distinctive Characteristics
Flowers
The standout feature of 'Eve Price' is its exceptional winter flowering display. Dense, flat-topped clusters (5-7cm across) of small white flowers emerge from distinctive carmine-pink buds, creating a delightful two-tone effect. The pink buds are particularly prominent and ornamental, often appearing more striking than the open flowers themselves. Blooming typically begins in November and continues intermittently through to May, with the heaviest flowering during January and February. The flowers have a subtle, sweet fragrance that becomes more noticeable on warm winter days.
Foliage
The evergreen leaves are oval, leathery, and dark green with a slight gloss, measuring 4-7cm in length. Young foliage emerges with attractive bronze tints, and the leaves often develop purple-bronze tones in winter, particularly on plants grown in full sun. The leaf undersides are paler, creating subtle contrast when caught by winter light.
Growth Habit
'Eve Price' maintains a naturally compact, dense, and rounded form without requiring regular pruning. This makes it significantly more manageable than the larger species form, developing into a well-clothed shrub with branches that reach nearly to ground level.
Berries
Following the flowers, small metallic blue-black berries develop in late summer and persist into autumn, providing additional ornamental value and food for wildlife.
Growing Conditions
Soil Requirements
Remarkably adaptable to most soil types, from heavy clay to sandy soils, provided drainage is adequate. Tolerates both acidic and alkaline conditions (pH 6.0-8.0). Established plants show good drought tolerance once their root systems are developed.
Light Requirements
Thrives in full sun to partial shade. In full sun, flowers more prolifically and develops better winter leaf colouring. In shade, remains healthy but may flower less abundantly and maintain a more open habit.
Exposure Tolerance
Exceptional wind tolerance makes this ideal for coastal gardens and exposed positions. Also shows remarkable tolerance of urban pollution, salt spray, and challenging microclimates.
Planting and Care
Planting
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Best Time: September to October or March to May
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Spacing: 1.5-2 metres apart for hedging, 2-3 metres as specimen plants
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Preparation: Ensure good drainage; improve heavy clay with grit and organic matter
Ongoing Care
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Pruning: Light pruning after main flowering (March-April) if required. Responds well to harder pruning if renovation is needed
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Feeding: Apply general-purpose fertiliser in early spring. Annual mulching beneficial but not essential
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Watering: Water regularly during first growing season; mature plants are drought tolerant
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Pest and Disease: Generally trouble-free, though occasionally affected by aphids or scale insects
Garden Uses
Hedging
Excellent for informal evergreen hedging, maintaining density without frequent trimming. Particularly effective for boundaries where year-round screening is required combined with winter flowering interest.
Specimen Planting
Makes an outstanding focal point in winter gardens, especially when planted where the pink buds can be appreciated up close.
Mixed Borders
Provides essential evergreen backbone in mixed shrub borders, with the added bonus of extended flowering. Works well as a transition plant between formal and informal garden areas.
Containers
Compact size makes it suitable for large containers, perfect for patios, courtyards, or balconies where winter interest is valuable.
Coastal Gardens
Exceptional salt tolerance makes it ideal for seaside gardens where many plants struggle.
Seasonal Interest
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Spring: Continuation of flowering display with fresh green foliage growth
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Summer: Attractive evergreen foliage providing structure and backdrop
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Autumn: Blue-black berries develop, foliage begins winter colour transition
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Winter: Peak flowering period with pink buds and white flowers, bronze-tinted foliage
Wildlife Value
The winter flowers provide valuable nectar for bees, hover flies, and other beneficial insects during the lean winter months. The berries are enjoyed by blackbirds, thrushes, and other garden birds, while the dense evergreen structure offers excellent nesting sites and winter shelter.
Companion Plants
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Winter Interest: Hamamelis, Helleborus, winter-flowering heathers
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Spring Bulbs: Snowdrops, crocuses, early daffodils planted beneath
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Summer Perennials: Hardy geraniums, day lilies, catmint for seasonal succession
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Evergreen Partners: Box, holly, yew for varied textures and forms
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Autumn Colour: Japanese maples, Cotinus for contrasting seasonal display
Popular Alternatives
Other excellent V. tinus cultivars include:
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V. tinus 'Gwenllian' - smaller with pink-flushed flowers
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V. tinus 'French White' - pure white flowers, very compact
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V. tinus 'Variegatum' - cream-edged leaves, less hardy
Monthly Care Guide
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January-February: Peak flowering period, deadhead spent blooms if desired
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March-April: Light pruning if needed, apply fertiliser
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May-June: Monitor young plants for watering needs
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July-August: Generally maintenance-free period
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September-October: Ideal planting time, berries developing
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November-December: First flowers opening, prepare for winter display
Common Challenges and Solutions
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Slow Establishment: Young plants may take 1-2 seasons to settle; ensure adequate watering first year
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Aphid Attack: Rarely serious; rinse off with hose or use insecticidal soap if persistent
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Winter Scorch: In very exposed positions, foliage may brown; usually recovers in spring
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Overgrown Plants: Responds well to renovation pruning in late spring if needed
Design Applications
Formal Gardens
Excellent for structured planting schemes where reliable evergreen form is essential, but seasonal flower interest is desired.
Modern Landscapes
The clean lines and extended flowering period suit contemporary garden designs perfectly.
Traditional Gardens
Fits beautifully into cottage garden settings, providing winter structure that many traditional plants lack.
Mediterranean Style
Despite being hardy, it works well in Mediterranean-themed gardens alongside lavender, rosemary, and other sun-loving plants.
Special Features
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Low Maintenance: Once established, requires minimal care
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Pollution Tolerance: Thrives in urban environments where other plants struggle
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Versatility: Equally at home as hedging, specimen, or container plant
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Reliability: Flowers consistently every winter regardless of weather
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Longevity: Well-established plants can thrive for decades with minimal intervention
Viburnum tinus 'Eve Price' represents exceptional value in the garden, combining reliable evergreen structure with prolonged winter flowering in a manageable, attractive package. Its adaptability and low-maintenance nature make it perfect for both novice and experienced gardeners seeking a plant that delivers consistent performance year after year. Whether used for screening, seasonal interest, or wildlife value, this versatile shrub proves indispensable in the modern garden.
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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