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Watanabe, a doublefile cultivar of Viburnum plicatum

Watanabe viburnum plicatum
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A long succession of modest flowers in spring, then foliage that takes over with autumn colour: the doublefile viburnum (Viburnum plicatum var. tomentosum ‘Watanabe’) is an easy 3-metre shrub for a flowered hedge, a standalone position or a shrub bed. Give it cool soil out of harsh sun and it blooms from late spring into mid-autumn.

Watanabe doublefile viburnum at a glance
Name Viburnum plicatum v. tomentosum ‘Watanabe’
Family Adoxaceae (formerly Caprifoliaceae)
Type shrub
Height 10 feet (3 meters)
Exposure full sun or part sun
Soil ordinary, well drained
Foliage deciduous
Flowering late spring to mid-autumn

Planting, caring for it and pruning contribute a lot to the proper growth of the Viburnum plicatum Watanabe.

Planting Watanabe Japanese Snowball bush

Preferably in fall but also in spring for specimens purchased in containers.

Pruning Viburnum

They don’t need any pruning.
Wait for the blooming to end if you wish to reduce or reshape the shrub.

Learn more about Viburnum plicatum tomentosum ‘Watanabe’

The ‘Watanabe’ viburnum is a very beautiful shrub which has a blooming as magnificent in spring as its foliage is in fall.

As part of a flowered hedge, as a standalone or in shrub beds, its growing and maintenance is easy.

You’ll also appreciate its humble but durable blooming for a very long time, from May to October.

Also part of the Viburnum family is laurestine often found in our gardens, as well as Viburnum plicatum tomentosum ‘Mariesii’ which hosts spectacular blooming.

Smart tip about snowball bushes

Avoid locations that are too exposed to harsh sun. Viburnum plicatum ‘Watanabe’ needs relatively cool soil to develop well.


Credits for images shared to Nature & Garden (all edits by Gaspard Lorthiois):
Growing in a pot by Laurent Houmeau under © CC BY-SA 2.0

Written by Gaspard Lorthiois | Loves helping out, especially when it comes to growing things. Worked in herbal medicine, runs a farm, and dabbles in tech. Master's degree and engineer.

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