Bareroot Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring Tree)

A robust deciduous shrub that brings multi-season interest to gardens with its dense clusters of creamy white spring flowers, followed by berries that ripen from red to black, attracting birds through autumn. The oval, deeply veined leaves have a soft, downy texture and turn rich shades of purple red before falling, extending the display into winter. More tolerant of dry soils and exposed conditions than many viburnums, it forms an excellent hedge or windbreak, its sturdy stems developing an attractive gnarled appearance with age. The spreading habit creates valuable cover for wildlife, while the flowers provide nectar for pollinators. Well suited to informal planting schemes, it thrives with minimal care, gradually forming a substantial thicket that offers both ornamental appeal and practical screening.

Family of Trees: Adoxaceae

Habit: Deciduous Shrub, Upright

Growth Rate: 30-50 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 10-25°C, hardy to -25°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Berries mildly toxic

Flowers or Berries: White Flowers, Red-Black Berries

Hardiness: H6 (Very Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)