Common name: Japanese Snowball

Description: Viburnum plicatum f. tomentosum 'Mariesii' is one of the most spectacular flowering shrubs for UK gardens, bearing elegant horizontal, tiered branches — like a Japanese cloud-pruned form — that are completely smothered in large, flat, lacecap-style white flowerheads in late spring. The strongly horizontal branching creates a beautifully architectural silhouette through winter, and in autumn the leaves turn rich burgundy-red before falling. The ornamental white flowers are followed by berries attractive to birds. A truly four-season garden plant of outstanding merit.

Other benefits: four-season interest, architectural horizontal form, autumn colour, wildlife berries

Wildlife attraction: bees and hoverflies; berries attract birds including waxwings in good years

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 2.5m x 3m

Position: full sun to partial shade

Soil pH: neutral to slightly alkaline

Moisture: moist but well-drained

Winter hardiness: cold hardy to -20°C