Hydrangeas are popular for a reason. They bring big blowsy blooms that brighten any border, container or shady spot and are fairly easy to grow (plus they look lovely arranged in a vase or jug indoors).
There are, however, other spectacular shrubs out there, which might go overlooked but can offer just as much marvellous tone and texture to your garden.
We spoke to some gardening gurus who are making a case for choosing versatile viburnum – a non-fussy flower prized for its multi-season interest – to plant in your plot this year.
Why choose viburnum?
“Viburnum really doesn't get the credit it deserves! It's one of those shrubs that earns its place in the garden all year round,” says Connor Towning, Lead Horticulturist at Beards & Daisies. “Depending on the variety, you get fragrant flowers in late winter or spring, good structure through summer, and then real autumn interest — berries, leaf colour, sometimes both. It’s a genuinely hard-working plant that rarely asks for much in return.”
Richard Baker of LBS Horticulture agrees, adding: “The flowers are great for attracting wildlife, while the winter berries can be a valuable food source for birds. Viburnums are also tough and easy to grow, coping with most soil types and requiring relatively little maintenance. They can be used in various ways, whether to create a privacy hedge, attract wildlife or as a statement plant.”
Viburnum vs hydrangeas
“Viburnum is a strong alternative for anyone who likes the presence of a flowering shrub, but does not want the extra inputs hydrangeas can demand in many UK gardens,” says Dr Russell Sharp, founder of Eutrema and a former senior lecturer in horticulture.
“Hydrangeas often punish short dry spells by wilting quickly, and they can become prone to patchy flowering if they are pruned at the wrong time. Many viburnums, once established, cope with a steadier, lower-input routine.”
Towning adds: “Hydrangeas are popular for a reason, but they do have their demands — they want reliable moisture, and they can sulk in dry summers without regular watering. Viburnum is much more forgiving once it’s established. It tolerates a wider range of soils, copes better in drier conditions, and tends to be more resilient overall. And while hydrangeas give you one big summer moment, viburnum spreads its interest across the seasons. Some varieties, like Viburnum bodnantense ‘Dawn’, even flower in the depths of winter when almost nothing else does.”
Baker also points to viburnum’s lower-maintenance nature: “Viburnums do not require heavy, regular pruning like hydrangeas do. They are generally unaffected by pests and diseases and, once established, do not need watering often. They can also tolerate harsh weather and the occasional drought better than hydrangeas, and many varieties have a strong sweet and spicy fragrance, whereas most hydrangea varieties are essentially odourless.”
A note on scent
“If you’re looking to replace hydrangeas because you don’t like their fragrance, though, be warned,” says Sharp. “Some viburnums can produce scents which are equally strong or worse smelling. Do plenty of research on sweet-smelling varieties before purchasing.”
Baker adds: “Some varieties have a sweet, spicy scent (Viburnum carlesii, often known as Korean spice viburnum, as well as Viburnum × burkwoodii and Viburnum × juddii) that carries across the garden.” Towning agrees: "Viburnum carlesii has one of the best scents of any spring-flowering shrub.”
How to plant viburnum
“If you are growing deciduous viburnum, where the plant will lose its leaves over winter, this is best planted from autumn to early spring, provided the ground is not frozen or waterlogged,” says Baker. “This gives the plant plenty of time to establish before any hot, dry weather occurs. Evergreen viburnums are best planted in early spring, but they can also be planted in autumn before the soil becomes too cold.”
Sharp recommends choosing “a site in sun or light shade” and paying particular attention to drainage. “Viburnum dislikes sitting in waterlogged soil over winter, so if the area holds water, improve the soil structure with organic matter and avoid creating a planting hole that acts like a sump.”
Towning says: “Viburnum isn’t fussy. Plant in a reasonably fertile, well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded spot. Dig a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball, settle the plant in at the same depth it was in the pot, and water it in well. Mulching around the base in the first season helps retain moisture while the roots get established. After that, most varieties are pretty self-sufficient.”
For container-grown plants, Baker advises: “Water the plant well around an hour before planting. Dig a hole that is the same depth as the pot, but twice as wide. Remove the plant from its container and gently loosen the roots before placing it in the planting hole. Backfill with soil to the same level as when the plant was potted, and gently firm the soil around the plant.”
Sharp adds: “If roots are circling inside the pot, tease them out gently so they grow outwards rather than continuing to spiral. Water in well, then finish with a mulch layer to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch clear of the stem to reduce rot risk.”
Aftercare and pruning
“A newly planted viburnum needs watering for the first few years,” says Baker. “Once established, evergreen varieties can be relatively drought-tolerant, although shallow-rooted varieties, such as those that flower in summer, may still need to be watered during summer. Viburnums need little or no feeding in most soils, as annual mulching is usually sufficient.”
Sharp recommends “steady, consistent care rather than quick fixes,” adding: “For the first growing season, water deeply but infrequently, letting the surface dry slightly between soakings so roots are encouraged to grow down. In spring, a modest application of a balanced fertiliser is usually enough. Over-feeding can push lots of leafy growth at the expense of flowers.”
When it comes to pruning, Sharp says the main rule is timing: “A lot of viburnums set their flower buds on last year’s growth, so the key is to prune straight after flowering rather than in winter. That timing keeps the framework tidy without removing next year’s buds.”
Towning agrees: “Pruning is minimal — just tidy up after flowering if needed.”
Best viburnum varieties to try
“Choose your variety with intention,” says Towning. “Viburnum tinus is evergreen and great for structure and winter berries; Viburnum opulus, the guelder rose, gives you stunning autumn colour and translucent red berries; and Viburnum plicatum ‘Mariesii’ has a beautiful layered, horizontal habit and frothy white spring flowers.”
