Hobblebush

Scientific name

Viburnum lantanoides

Description

Hobblebush is a shrub species that typically grows about 3 m in height. The leaves are large, oppositely arranged, medium green coloured, ovate shaped with cordate bases, have prominent veins giving a wrinkly appearance, have finely serrated margins. The flowers are showy, white coloured, fragrant, appear in flat-topped clusters, and bloom between May and June. This plant has distinctively different inner fertile flowers and outer sterile flowers. The fruit are small, edible, oval shaped berries that change from pale green to red to purplish black coloured when ripe. This shrub produces attractive fall colours changing from bronze red to purple. The flowers are beneficial to pollinator species, like bees and butterflies. The fruits are also beneficial to wildlife species, like birds and small mammals. The branches may bend and take root in the ground, which can trip or hobble people passing by, hence the common name. This plant is easy to grow and easy to transplant.

Planting conditions

Hobblebush grows best in normal to moist conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It prefers well-drained loam or sand soil types but can adapt to rocky areas. It can tolerate alkalinity and shade. This shrub can be naturally found in moist forests, around swamps or marshes, and along river or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Max 3m
  • Any
• Moisture level:
  • Normal
  • Moist
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
  • Shade
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Basic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
• Eco Zone:
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 3 m
• Spread:
  • 2 m