Red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’)
Red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’) is a shrub that can grow 3m – 8m tall and 3m – 8m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’).
This plant has several common names including: red guelder rose, snowball, snowball tree, red snowball tree, rose elder or Whitsuntide boss.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: red guelder rose, snowball, snowball tree, red snowball tree, rose elder, Whitsuntide boss
Scientific name: Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 3m – 8m
Spread: 3m – 8m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full shade, Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Planting type: Hedging & Screens, Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators, RHS Award of Garden Merit
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs are fundamental elements in any garden.
They add color and interest throughout the seasons with their wide variety of flowers, foliage, fruits, trunks and stems.
Whatever the size or style of your garden, the permanent woody structure or the foliage of evergreen shrubs will give the space shape and dimension.
Other types of Viburnum to consider:
See all Viburnum
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.
Sunlight
Red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’) grows well in full sun, although it can also be grown in shady places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Red guelder rose (Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’) – Dimimis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
