Viburnum

I had to take out a shrub that was at the end of its life.

Trying to decide what I wanted to replace it with was a process.  I could not put one in that could only stand partial sun or one that grows to tall and wide, even knowing that it could be kept manageable with pruning.

Well that didn't work as I decided to get a Virburnum snowball shrub.

What brought me to this decision on this plant was that I remembered my parents' yard several years ago and they had a beautiful plant.

So I went looking for it, and found it at El Rancho Nursery in Vacaville.

This is an old fashion plant.  From what I read it dates back to the 16^th century and is not supposed to grow in our zone, but since my parents had one in Vacaville, I thought I would give it a try here in Fairfield.

This plant has clusters of 5-8 inch green buds that open in mid-spring, the green buds turn to white and they look like snowballs, as the blossoms age they fad to pink.  Their blossoms resemble the blossoms on hydrangeas in size and shape, but unlike hydrangeas it needs full sun to be at its best.

This shrub can grow 6-10 feet and wide, but pruning will keep it under control----at least I hope it will.

photo by Betty Victor

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