Overview

Viburnum lantana 'Lanceolatum' is a plant with a bushy habit in the genus Viburnum, part of the Viburnaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Viburnum lantana 'Lanceolatum' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden, city and courtyard gardens, coastal, wall side borders and flower borders and beds.

About

Viburnum lantana 'Lanceolatum' is a cultivar of Viburnum (family Viburnaceae) with a well-branched, multi-stemmed habit and deciduous leaves. It bears dense clusters of creamy-white flowers in April to June, followed by a sequence of fruits that ripen through red to black. The plant tolerates a wide range of soils and aspects, making it adaptable across garden situations. Leaves have a noticeably downy underside where present hairs are apparent.

About the genus

Viburnum is a genus of about 150–175 species of flowering plants in the family Viburnaceae. Its current classification is based on molecular phylogeny. It was previously included in the family Caprifoliaceae.

Wikipedia contributors, "Viburnum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Viburnum

In the garden

A cultivar within the Viburnum genus and the Viburnaceae family, Viburnum lantana 'Lanceolatum' shows the structural form of a multi-stemmed shrub that flowers in April to June. Flower clusters are compact and creamy-white, then give way to oblong drupes that change colour as they ripen. Fruit are eaten by birds, which aid seed dispersal. Plant in full sun or partial shade on soil that is moist but well-drained; the cultivar tolerates chalk, clay, loam and sand and performs across acid, neutral and alkaline pH. It suits exposed as well as sheltered sites and can be positioned on south-, north-, east- or west-facing aspects. Hardiness is H6, which translates to very hardy under UK conditions and suitable for outdoor planting across most regions. Use this Viburnum in cottage or informal layouts, city and courtyard gardens, coastal positions, wall-side borders and mixed flower borders or beds. Allow room for its rounded, well-branched habit and position where its spring flowering and autumn fruit will be visible to passing birds and people. The succession from creamy-white blooms to colourful fruit provides seasonal interest specific to this cultivar.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Viburnum

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, North-facing, East-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Viburnum lantana 'Lanceolatum' size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Wall side borders, Flower borders and beds

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Viburnum lantana 'Lanceolatum'

Propagation

Softwood cuttings in summer, Semi-ripe cuttings from midsummer to autumn, Hardwood cuttings in winter, Layering in spring, Grafting in late summer

Pest resistance

Aphids, Viburnum beetle

Disease resistance

Phytophthora, Honey fungus, Grey moulds, Leaf spot

Frequently asked questions