Wayfaring tree

Viburnum lantana

Native hedgerow shrub with rounded grey-green leaves, white flat-topped flower clusters in spring and oval fruits that ripen unevenly through red to black.

Hardiness ratings

Wayfaring tree hardiness across the four zone systems
SystemRatingTemperature rangeHow to read it
USDA hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −34.4 °C to −6.7 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
RHS hardiness rating H7 down to −20 °C Plant needs at least this level of cold tolerance
Canadian plant hardiness zone Zone 4–8 −29 °C to −1 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone
Australian (ANBG) zone Zone 2–6 −10 °C to 15 °C Plant tolerates down to this zone

Growing notes

  • Berries ripen through red to black, with both colours visible on the bush at the same time — striking in late summer
  • Eaten by thrushes, blackbirds and blackcaps as they ripen
  • Prefers chalk and limestone soils — natural in the southern English downland hedgerow
  • Viburnum beetle does feed on the leaves but damage is rarely serious — accept it as part of the wildlife the shrub supports

Categories

Related plants

Cross-check Wayfaring tree against your zones

Reference

Wayfaring tree on Wikipedia