European Snowball Viburnum

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

10 - 12 Feet

Mature Spread

10 - 12 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Imagine having a breathtaking winter wonderland in your garden during spring. The European Snowball Viburnum, or the Viburnum Opulus Roseum, makes that dream a reality. With round, white flower groupings that mimic snowballs, the feeling of refreshing winter snow can be achieved in the warmer months of the year. Growing vigorously during the middle of May, each “snowball” grows to be about 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter and remarkably stands out against the shrub’s vibrant green leaves. Upon reaching maturity, this shrub can grow up to 15 feet in height and 18 feet in width.

Native to the Netherlands, the deciduous European Snowball Viburnum’s flowers begin blooming with an apple green color before transforming to bright white. With a medium growth rate, you can expect your shrub to grow approximately 2 feet per year. You can use them for group planting in hedges, borders, and entranceways. These low-maintenance shrubs are deer and drought resistant but may be prone to the development of powdery mildew, which may appear on the shrub’s leaves. They are also vulnerable to the Viburnum Leaf Beetle, which is common in the northeastern region of the United States. These pests will chomp at the shrub’s leaves and may weaken or destroy the shrub altogether.

European Snowball Viburnum Plant Care

You should plant your European Snowball Viburnum in an area with full or partial sun and in moist, well-drained soil with a slightly acidic pH of 7 or less. The ideal time for planting this shrub is during the spring or fall and it should be fertilized once per year, preferably with a water-soluble, general-purpose fertilizer. To keep it healthy, water it if the rainfall in your area is less than an inch each week. When watering it, you should ensure the soil surrounding your shrub is evenly moist throughout.

You can prune your shrub every couple of years to help maintain its shape and control its size. In addition, you may also prune it during its growth cycles to harvest its flowers and get rid of any damaged leaves or branches. To do this, cut the diseased branches down to about half an inch past where you can see healthy wood. If your shrub becomes severely damaged, prune all weak branches down to the shrub’s crown to rejuvenate it.

European Snowball Viburnum Plant Spacing

Allow for 6 to 8 feet of space between each shrub if planting in a solid hedge. If planting between other plants, leave at least 14 feet of distance between each one.