Red Balloon® Viburnum

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

6-8 Feet

Mature Spread

6-8 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

Viburnum ‘Red Balloon’ has everything you want from a viburnum. Creamy white spring flowers that butterflies love, beautiful red clusters of berries (like a red balloon) in the fall for the birds, a wonderful texture on the leaves that when in the fall turn to a gorgeous deep burgundy color much like a fine wine! This is a plant that you can grow in almost all parts of the country, from the colder northern climates to the mild southern zones. As the berries ripen in the late fall, they turn to black giving you just one more color in the spectrum for your garden. Consider it a plant for all seasons!

This viburnum is multi-talented in the landscape. It can be the stunning focal point of the garden, use it as a hedge or as the backdrop to your annuals and perennials. Its upright growth habit gives you a vertical design element in your landscape. Put it in a container and watch it add drama to your garden! Since this is a larger plant that grows 6-8 ft. wide and tall, drama is the word of the day.

Red Balloon Viburnum Care

Viburnums are relatively problem free. Insects and diseases don’t seem to bother it and the deer don’t find it delectable. Plus it requires little maintenance other than a slow release acid fertilizer in the spring. Pruning Red Balloon Viburnum is not necessary unless trimming dead or broken branches. This makes it an ideal plant for the busy homeowner.

Just average water is required so no pampering is needed. The soil should be well draining but retain moisture. It is winter hardy and heat tolerant from Zones 4a-8b! ‘Red Balloon’ also tolerates a bit more shade for those lacking an area for full sun. While ‘Red Balloon’ will produce berries for better fruit production plant with either ‘Alleghany’ or ‘Mohican’.

Red Balloon Viburnum Spacing

Planting is easy for ‘Red Balloon’. If using as a screen or a hedge plant it 8-10 feet on center, use it as a focal point in the garden or as backdrop to your perennials.