Snowballs in May

Viburnum plicatum

Day 107
The Daily DuBrule

My yard is filled with snowballs this month. When I moved here in 2004 it was the dead of winter. I could tell this really large shrub was a viburnum and it had the look of Viburnum plicatum tomentosum 'Mariesii', the doublefile viburnum. This fabulous shrub has double rows of single white flowers on horizontal stems in late May and June. I was thrilled. Come spring, I was astounded to see the flower buds forming and becoming giant white round snowballs. I had a magnificent specimen of Viburnum plicatum, the straight species, a plant I had alway coveted. 

This shrub was badly in need of pruning. I have spent the past 7 years removing old wood from the center and encouraging an open habit. It is coming along nicely in that regard. The snowballs start out greenish white and open to pure white. They stay in flower for almost a month. When they fall, for a brief while, it looks like snow on the ground. 

 One of my favorite combination is when my 'Red Charm' peony, which I purposely placed at the base, flowers at the same time. Red and white snowballs next to each other. It doesn't get any better than that!