Coral viburnumis an ornamental shrub valued for its spectacular inflorescences, nice fruit, long-lasting on the plant and intense leaf discoloration in the fall. This species is common in our country, andthe cultivation of viburnumin the garden does not cause many problems. Find out more about the requirements of this shrub, see whatvarieties of viburnumare worth planting and checkwhat diseases and pests can threaten viburnum
Coral viburnum - fruits
Fig. Wouter Hagens, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Coral viburnum - cultivation
Coral viburnum(Viburnum opulus) is commonly found in Poland and most of Europe. It tolerates our climatic conditions very well, thanks to whichgrowing viburnum in the gardenis not a problem. It is a highly frost hardy plant (frost hardiness zone 4).
Coral viburnum is a shrubfast growing, quite wide, with a loose, asymmetrical crown, usually narrow at the bottom. It grows up to 4 m in height, although in gardens it usually does not exceed 1.5 m in height and 2 m in width.Viburnum leavesare bright green, and turn purple in autumn.The flowers of the coral viburnumare white, gathered in flat corymbs. We can admire them from May to June. During this period, they are an excellent benefit for the bees. Later, very decorativered fruitsappear on the shrubs, shimmering nicely in the rays of the autumn sun.They are eagerly eaten by birds, incl. thrushes and robins.
The rock viburnumsite should be sunny to semi-shaded. This plant grows well in fertile, moist (sometimes even wet) soils, with a slightly acidic to alkaline reaction. It tolerates urban conditions well and is tolerant of air pollution. Drought can harm it the most, so when the summer is hot and without rainfall, it is worth irrigating the bushes.
In order to fertilize the soil, beforeplanting viburnumthe soil should be enriched with manure or compost and reapply these fertilizers every 3 years. Additionalfertilizing of the viburnumwith mineral fertilizers is usually not necessary.
Cutting the viburnumis not necessary, and even inadvisable, because the buds floral viburnum forms at the ends of the shoots and their trimming deprives the plant of its ornamental value. Every year we cut out only dead and damaged shoots, and every 4-5 years the bush can be thinned more.We make this cut in early spring.
You can admire the fruits of viburnum in winter
Fig. Rob Hille, Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons
Coral viburnum - varieties
Varieties of coral viburnummay differ in terms of growth force (especially dwarf varieties for small gardens, such as the viburnum 'Compactum'), and the color of leaves and fruit are worth mentioning.varieties of viburnum with spherical inflorescences , such as the guelder rose 'Roseum', look especially beautiful during flowering.
Coral viburnum 'Aureum'- a variety of viburnum with bright yellow leaves, with time turning light green. Decorative leaves are easily sunburned, so it is better to plant this variety of viburnum in a light shade.
Viburnum 'Compactum'- a variety of viburnum with slow growth, growing to a height of 1-0-1.5 m.
Coral Viburnum 'Nanum'- a very short variety, reaching only about 0.5 m in height and densely shrubs, which makes it a ground cover plant. Unfortunately, it does not always bloom, and even if it does, flowering is not abundant.
Kalina Coral 'Park Harvest'- a variety of viburnum with an attractive leaf color - the young are brownish, while the older ones are golden yellow. The best coloring of leaves is obtained in sunny places. Strength of growth similar to that of the species. It also blooms white.
Viburnum 'Roseum'
Fig. Abrahami, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Viburnum coral 'Roseum'- a very popular variety of viburnum with spherical inflorescences, sometimes also referred to as coral viburnum bulden. The emerging inflorescences are initially greenish, in full bloom, or a hundred white, while the decaying ones become pink. It does not bear fruit. Strength and growth rate similar to that of the species (grows up to 4 m in height). It grows best in full sun. Sometimes you can also get a similarvariety of viburnum 'Pink Sensation'with pink flowers.
In addition to the typical form of viburnum 'Roseum',guelder rose 'Roseum' on the trunkis becoming more and more popular. It is a plant obtained by grafting, growing in the form of a small tree.
Coral viburnum 'Xanthocarpum'- this variety of viburnum is famous for its yellow color of fruit and leaves that also turn yellow in autumn. It grows up to 2-3 m in height. It blooms white.
People who will not like the above-describedvarieties of coral viburnum , I would like to recommend another, less known species of viburnum, which is the stiff-leaved viburnum. Compared to the guelder rose, the hard-leaved viburnum has much lower frost resistance, but it does not lose leaves for the winter and tolerates shady places better.
Coral viburnum - diseases and pests
Coral viburnum diseasesare quite rare. In fact, the onlyfungal disease that attacks viburnumis leaf spot. Muchthe plant is threatened by pests , mainly by aphids.
Blotch of viburnum leaves- the disease usually appears in the second half of the leaves, whensmall, round spots can be observed on the leaves of the viburnum They are brown with a red border. Tissues crumble over time at the spot where the spots are formed and holes remain in the leaves. After noticing symptoms of the disease, spray Topsin M 500 SC. It can be used alternately with the natural preparation Biosept Active. 2-3 sprayings should be made with an interval of 10 days. Next year, even before the disease appears, it is worth spraying the plant with Biosept prophylactically. We should also remember to rake out all fallen leaves from under the bush in the fall, because they are the source of infection in the next year.
Viburnum aphid- it is a pest that causes the greatest losses on the coral viburnum. In spring aphids feed on the underside of young leaves, soviburnum leaves are twisted and deformedAfter noticing the symptoms of aphid feeding, spray the bushes with aphicides, such as Decis Ogród 0.15 EW, Decis AL, Mospilan 20 SP or with the natural Agrocover preparation. In order to prevent the infestation of aphids in the early spring, in the leafless period, we spray the eggs hibernating on the shoots of viburnum.For this purpose, oil spraying agents such as Emulpar 940 EC or Promanal 60 EC are performed. The liquid should be very carefully applied to all shoots of viburnum.
Spider mite- is a common pest of viburnum, insects feed from the underside of the leaves, and the effect of their existence istiny yellow spots visible on the top side of the leavesLeaves can dry off the banks and fall prematurely. After noticing the symptoms of feeding of spider mites, spray with a spider mite, eg Karate Zeon 050 EC. In order to combat winter forms, as in the case of combating aphids, we spray with oil agents in the early spring. Remember that other plants should also be sprayed against these pests, because the spider mite inhabits many different species of garden plants.
Gray Viburnum viburnum- this is a beetle that loves the leaves of the guelder rose. Adult beetles and their larvae (caterpillars) biteirregular holes between viburnum leaf veins After noticing the pest, which will usually happen in May, when the larvae hatch from the winter eggs, spray with contact agents. The above-mentioned measures will work: Decis Ogród 0.15 EW and Karate Zeon 050 EC. However, it is best, as in the case of aphids and spider mites, to combat winter eggs by spraying with oil in the early spring.
