The snowball genus includes more than 100 different species. Depending on who you ask, they may even tell you the number of 200 different species. They all belong to the musk herb family.
What types of snowballs are there?
There are different types of viburnum, such as the common viburnum, scented viburnum, wrinkled viburnum, stuffed viburnum, woolly viburnum, Bodnant viburnum and bay viburnum. Each species has special characteristics in terms of flowering time, leaf shape, flower color and scent.
What types of snowballs are there?
The common viburnum is an important food source for local birds. Its small red fruits remain on the bush until winter. However, not all birds like the snowball and it is even slightly poisonous to humans. If you have a small child in the house, then maybe wait a few years before planting a snowball.
The scented snowball is also very interesting with its intense, sweet scent. The Korean Viburnum viburnum, Latin Viburnum carlesii, has crimson-pink buds, while the flowers become lighter as they mature and eventually become completely white.
The special feature of the wrinkled viburnum lies in the large oval leaves, which can be up to 20 cm long. They are hairy on the underside, which you should keep in mind when cutting this plant, as the hairs can irritate the respiratory tract. The flowers are cream-colored, the fruits are initially red, but then turn black.
Should I plant the snowball alone or in a group?
Particularly unusual types of snowballs certainly look best as solitary plants. In principle, the viburnum is also suitable for planting in combination with brightly flowering perennials or with rhododendrons and lilacs. Densely growing species are also suitable for planting a hedge. This is particularly true for evergreen varieties.
Interesting types of snowball:
- Real double viburnum: spherical inflorescences, no fruits
- Woolly snowball: hairy leaves
- Bodnant or winter viburnum: blooms pink in winter
- Fragrance Snowball: intense sweet scent
- Laurel viburnum: blooms from November to April
Tip
When choosing a suitable snowball bush, you decide depending on your needs based on the flowering time, the size of the bush, its suitability as a hedge plant or the scent of the flowers.
