Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Viburnum plicatum
Japanese Snowball
- Family
- Adoxaceae
- Height
- 8 to 15 feet
- Width
- 8 to 15 feet
- Flower color
- White
- Foliage color
- Dark green, turning shades of red, purple, and bronze in the fall
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water
- Moist, well-drained soil but can tolerate drought once established.
- Maintenance
- Low; occasional pruning to maintain shape and remove dead or damaged growth
- Growing zone
- Hardy in USDA zones 5 to 8
- Wildlife
- The berries are attractive to birds, making it a valuable plant for wildlife gardens
About this plant
Viburnum plicatum is a deciduous shrub admired for its elegant, tiered horizontal branches laden with showy white flowers in spring. Native to Japan, China, and Korea, this shrub has dark green foliage that turns shades of red, purple, and bronze in fall. Blooming in late spring to early summer, typically in May and June, its small white flowers are arranged in flat-topped clusters up to 4 inches across, each with a pom-pom-like appearance.
Preferring full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil, Viburnum plicatum is relatively low-maintenance, requiring minimal pruning. The berries that follow the flowers attract birds, making it valuable for wildlife gardens. It is commonly used as a specimen plant, in shrub borders, or as a hedge, adding depth and interest to the landscape with its graceful form and stunning floral display.
Companion plants
Boxwoods · Dwarf Korean fir · Bergenia · Maiden grass · Snowdrops · Agapanthus
Design tip
Showcase Japanese Snowball where its tiered horizontal branching can be seen in profile rather than crowded by neighboring shrubs. The layered structure creates architectural interest throughout the season and becomes especially dramatic when its branches are lined with white spring flowers.
