Guelder Rose - Viburnum opulus 'Xanthocarpum' - €8 per plant 

The Guelder Rose is one of the national symbols of Ukraine, featured in folklore, songs and art.  It is also commonly referred to as crampbark, a most fitting title considering its wide use medicinally in the prevention of uterine spasms.  Aside from this, it is an attractive deciduous or evergreen shrub that succeeds well in sunny, moist and well drained soil although it can tolerate most soil types reasonably well.  It attracts a wide range of 'flying' insects - bees and beneficial hover wasps in particular and is a worthy candidate for hedging or low maintenance wildlife gardens. To order this plant please contact us [email protected].  

Context

  • native region: Europe
  • native habitat: Hedges, scrub and woodland
  • family: Adoxaceae

Predators

  • Aphids and vibernum beetle may be a problem, but in general no serious threat

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi Shade- Full Sun
  • soil pH:  acid-neutral -basic alkaline  
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8
  • The plant can grow in very alkaline soils
  • It  prefers moist or wet soil.

Known hazards 


  • Consuming large quantities of the fruit can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, but  the fruit is of very low toxicity and only causes mild upsets when eaten unripe or in large quantities

Overview


  • Deciduous Shrub growing to 5m x 5m at a medium rate.
  • It is in flower in June- July, seeds ripen in Sept - Oct. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).
  • The plant is self-fertile. 
  • Can be grown in moist, well drained soil
  • The plant would make a good choice for a shrub border or woodland gadren
  • ​Does not tolerate nutritionally poor soil
  • Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
  • It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or full sun. 

Characteristics

  • form: Deciduous Shrub   
  • layer : Shrub Layer
  • habit: Upright shrub 
  • height x width (m): 5 x 5

Products 

Attractive maple liked lobed leaves that turn pink or red in the autumn.
  • Produces clusters of pretty pink or white flowers that are often fragrant
  • Orange berries that can be eaten raw or cooked, although some caution is advisable 
  • The bark has useful medicinal properties and has been made into a tea to relieve all types of spasms, including menstrual cramps, spasms ​after childbirth and threatened miscarriage​


​Functions, behaviours


  • Prefers a deep rich moist loamy soil in a sunny position
  • Will succeed in dappled shade but fruit less
  • A very ornamental plant, often grown in a flower bed
  • The plant is an alternative host for the broad bean aphid
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project