General Description/History

There are over 150 species of this popular genus of small trees and many more cultivars. In spring flowering branches are sold, while in autumn branches with red berries can also be found. The flowers are produced in clusters of about 5-15 cm across, with each cluster containing many small flowers. Each flower is small, 3-5 mm across, with five petals, and white to cream or pink in colour. Some species are strongly fragrant.

Berries are spherical or oval in shape, and red to purple, blue, or black in colour and each one contains a single seed.

Viburnum branches are mostly cut from private gardens or small plantations close to the southern major city centres of Melbourne, Adelaide and Sydney.

Available: Berries: autumn; Flowers: spring

What to look for

• Buy branches with many coloured buds and partly open flowers;
• Avoid branches that drop flowers and leaves when shaken.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool at all times.
2. Strip leaves from the lower half of each stem.
3. Recut at least 2 cm off each branch and place in water immediately.
4. Do not bash or split stem ends.
5. Always use a preservative as this will help buds open.
6. Replace vase water with fresh preservative every day.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

The long straight Viburnum branches were prized as arrow shafts in prehistoric times.

Botanical Name: Viburnum sp.

Common Names: Viburnum

Stem Length: 30 – 80 cm

Country of Origin: Europe, Asia, Nth Africa

Available Colours: Black, Blue, Cream, Pink, Purple, Red, White

Season: Autumn,Spring

Availability: March,April,May,September,October,November