Viburnum opulus 'Roseum'
This is the classic European snowball viburnum cultivar grown for large, sterile flower clusters. The heads open green, turn white, and often blush pink as they age. Plants form a dense, rounded deciduous shrub that suits hedges and specimens. It performs best in full sun to part shade with evenly moist, well‑drained soil. It is cold hardy across much of North America. This selection does not fruit, so it is tidy around walks and patios.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: deciduous shrub; snowball viburnum
- Height × spread: 10–12 ft × 12–14 ft (3.0–3.7 m × 3.7–4.3 m)
- Bloom window: May
- Color & flower form: 3 in (7.5 cm) globes; white fading to light pink; all sterile florets
- Fragrance: 0 none
- USDA hardiness: zones 3–8
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown; Europe
- Awards/registration: RHS Award of Garden Merit
- Cut‑flower notes: woody stems; recut and hydrate; typical vase life varies by handling
- Pet safety: safe
How it differs
- Sterile snowball heads mean no berries or self‑seeding.
- Flower heads are spherical rather than lacecap.
- Displays a stronger spring show than many fruiting viburnums.
- Lacks fragrance.
- Dense rounded habit suits hedging.
Strengths
- Showy spring display.
- Very cold hardy within listed zones.
- Tolerates a range of soils if drainage is good.
- Often shows orange to red fall color.
Care in one minute
- Site in full sun to part shade for best bloom.
- Plant in average to moist, well‑drained loam; neutral to slightly alkaline soils are acceptable.
- Water regularly the first two seasons; then as needed during dry spells.
- Feed lightly in early spring only if soil is poor.
- Prune immediately after flowering to shape and control size.
- Mulch 2 to 3 in (5 to 7.5 cm) to conserve moisture.
Watch‑outs
- Susceptible to viburnum leaf beetle in regions where the pest occurs.
- Aphids and leaf spots may appear after wet springs.
- Needs room to mature to full width.
Best uses (tags)
cutting, borders, hedges, specimen
Provenance note
An old sterile selection of European cranberrybush grown in European gardens since the 16th century.
References
- Missouri Botanical Garden – Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ profile
- RHS – Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’ plant details
- NC State Extension – Viburnum opulus ‘Roseum’
- Cornell – Viburnum leaf beetle host susceptibility list
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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