Eastern Snowball Viburnum

Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’

Other Names: Compact Guelder Rose

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-8b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Deciduous Flowering Shrub

Height at Maturity: 4-6′

Width at Maturity: 4-6′

Spacing: 4-5′ for solid hedge; 10’+ for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Upright, Rounded

Growth Rate: Moderate, Fast

Flower Color: White

Flower Size: Up to 3-4″ diameter lacecap clusters

Flowering Period: Late Spring to Early Summer

Flower Type: Single in lacecap clusters

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Bright Green; Purplish Red in fall

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: Yes

Berry Color: Red

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun, Morning Sun With Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Afternoon Sun

Water Needs: Average, Low when established

Soil Type: Clay Amend heavy clay soil to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy (Amend quick-draining soil to retain moisture, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 – 6.5 (Acid to Slightly Acid)

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Butterflies, Birds, Beneficial Pollinators, Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold Temperatures (-40F), Deer, Disease, Insect

Description

Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society, Viburnum opulus ‘Compactum’ is a dwarf version of the European Cranberry Bush, also known as Guelder Rose. It is a beautiful easy-to-grow flowering shrub with pretty flowers, berries and foliage that can handle temperatures down to -40F. Abundant, butterfly-attracting, lacecap flower clusters consisting of pretty buttery soft-yellow florets surrounded by larger pure-white florets contrast beautifully with the apple-green, 3-lobed, maple-like leaves that turn to colorful red and purple shades in fall. The flowers are followed by abundant showy clusters of cranberry-like lustrous red berries that the birds will thank you for. At only 4 to 6 feet tall and wide the Dwarf European Cranberry Bush is a spectacular landscape specimen in smaller garden spaces or grouped or as a natural hedge where space allows. Very easy to grow and extremely cold hardy to -40F.

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing 4 to 6 feet tall and equally as wide, the Dwarf European Cranberry Bush is ideal for use as a specimen in smaller garden spaces and flowering shrub borders or in groupings or as an attractive natural hedge in larger landscape borders. Also a fine accent or espalier (trained to grow flat against a wall) in home foundation plants and around patios, decks, porches and other outdoor living spaces. A fine addition to Viburnum gardens, butterfly gardens, bird gardens, cut flower gardens, white theme gardens and cottage gardens.

Growing Preferences

Viburnum is very easy to grow in most any moist but well drained soil of average fertility and full sun to part shade. It prefers a loamy soil. As with so many other ornamental plants, it does not like constantly soggy or wet conditions though will tolerate occasional wet or dry periods when established. We’ve seen no serious pest or disease problems provided the plant gets morning sun. Deer haven’t touched it in our gardens. For best flowering, at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day is suggested. Responds very well to pruning. Prune as needed immediately after flowering.

Helpful Articles

Click on the link below to find helpful advice from our experts on how to plant and care for Viburnums.

How To Plant And Care For Viburnum Plants

Plant Long & Prosper!

Meet The Wilson Brothers & Staff

Questions? Contact Us