Guelder Rose Viburnums
What is a guelder rose? Guelder rose viburnums (Viburnum opulus) are deciduous shrubs or trees that grow between 13 and 25 feet (4-7.5 m.) in height and 8 to 12 feet (2.5-4 m.) in spread, making them well-suited for smaller areas of the landscape. In late spring to early summer, they produce branching clusters of flowers that are usually white but sometimes shades of pink. The flowers give way in autumn to round berries that are red, blue, or black. These berries are mildly toxic and can cause nausea if they are eaten. The leaves are frequently mistaken for maple leaves. They are bright green in the summer and turn to orange and red in the fall.
How to Care for Guelder Rose Plants
Guelder rose growing is very easy and forgiving. The shrubs will grow in most varieties of soil, including chalk, clay, sand, and loam. That said, they prefer well-drained but moist soil. In the wild, the plants tend to grow in damp areas. They will also tolerate both acidic and alkaline soils. These viburnum shrubs will grow in anything from shade to full sun. Although the berries are mildly toxic raw, they can be cooked into an edible and tasty jam. When eaten, the bark of guelder rose viburnums is thought to have positive medicinal effects as an antispasmodic, earning the plant one of its common names– crampbark.
