Bareroot Viburnum opulus (Guelder Rose)

A beloved deciduous shrub that offers three seasons of beauty, featuring showy white lacecap flowers in spring, followed by translucent red berries that persist into winter, and maple-like leaves that turn vibrant shades of purple and red in autumn. The berries provide an important food source for birds, while the flowers attract pollinators. Adaptable to various soil types, including damp conditions, it thrives in full sun to partial shade, forming a robust, rounded shape ideal for hedging or standalone specimens. Particularly valued for its wildlife support and stunning seasonal displays, this hardy shrub brings year-round interest to cottage gardens, woodland edges and wildlife-friendly landscapes.

Family of Trees: Adoxaceae

Habit: Deciduous Shrub

Growth Rate: 30 to 60 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 15-25°C, hardy to -30°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Berries toxic if ingested

Flowers or Berries: White Flowers, Red 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)