Which Viburnum species are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants?
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Dipsacales
Fragrant tubular blooms of Viburnum carlesii (Korean spice viburnum).
Many species within the genus Viburnum are cultivated as ornamental plants for their attractive foliage, fragrant flower clusters, and colorful fruits. Commonly cultivated species and varieties include:1
- Snowball Bushes: These are prized for their large, round heads of sterile florets. Notable examples include the Chinese snowball (V. macrocephalum var. sterile), the Japanese snowball (V. plicatum), and the snowball or guelder rose (V. opulus var. roseum).1
- Cranberry Bushes: The European cranberry (V. opulus) and the North American highbush cranberry (V. trilobum) are popular for their maplelike leaves, white flowers, and bright red berries.1
- Evergreens: The laurustinus (V. tinus) is a Mediterranean evergreen often grown for its foliage, while the sweet viburnum (V. odoratissimum) is valued for its shiny leaves and fragrant flowers.1
- Other Notable Species: Gardeners also cultivate the American wayfaring tree (V. alnifolium), the European wayfaring tree (V. lantana), the black haw (V. prunifolium), the southern black haw (V. rufidulum), the sheepberry (V. lentago), and the arrowwood (V. dentatum).1