Viburnum opulus compactum, better known as the guelder-rose or the Snowball, stems from the muskroot family, and are native to Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg. It has been part of our culture for a long time. The guelder-rose gets its nickname "snowball" from the white, spherical flower bunches appearing during the flowering period. The guelder-rose is a long-flowering and hardy plant that is found mostly alongside rivers. The plant is suitable for smaller gardens and during the flowering period, it provides its environment with a fresh, white accent with its flowery "snowballs".
A flowering eye-catcher
These beautiful spheres flower in the months of May and June. Populated with deep green leaves, the white bulbs can reach a diameter of up to 10 centimeters. Around September and October, autumnal berries take over from the flowers, accompanied by orange-red leaves. The appearance of the guelder-rose is truly autumnal. In addition, the plant has an upright growth and can reach a height of up to 3 meters. The plant not only has a remarkable height, but also takes up quite a lot of space and therefore is a large eye-catcher in every garden.
A humus-rich soil
The guelder-rose can best be provided with a rather moist and humus-rich soil that is fertile and borders on acidity. It is also advisable to spread tree bark or summer turf at the base of the plant to prevent any evaporation. To give the plant the best growth possibilities, a place in the sun or partial shade is perfect for the guelder-rose.
Low-maintenance
Guelder-roses need relatively little care or pruning sessions throughout the year. The plant combines well with other shrubs and plants and needs plenty of water in times of drought. Should you decide to prune the rose, this is best done after the flowering period. Advice: the plant can best be pruned close to the heart, so that the inside of the plant receives more sunlight and will grow more flowers.
It is advisable to check the guelder-rose for any dead or damaged branches after a severe winter. These must then be removed from the plant to avoid any growth barriers. The plant is low-maintenance, which, combined with the many other advantages of the plant, makes it all the more attractive.