popcorn viburnum

Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

Popcorn viburnum is a standout shrub in New Zealand gardens, celebrated for its striking, globe-shaped white blooms and lush green foliage. This eye-catching viburnum variety brings architectural interest and year-round appeal to any outdoor space. Whether you're creating a formal hedge, planting in mixed borders, or seeking a low-maintenance feature shrub, popcorn viburnum delivers brilliant seasonal displays and is remarkably easy to care for. Discover why so many Kiwi gardeners love this robust and elegant shrub, and how you can use popcorn viburnum to transform your landscape.

Viburnum burkwoodii (Burkwood Viburnum)

Viburnum burkwoodii is an evergreen shrub that features lovely foliage and showy flowers. Pink flower buds open to reveal showy clusters of fragrant, white-pink flowers during spring. The glossy, green foliage provides a great backdrop to the flowers as it grows to 2.5 m tall and the same wide. Viburnum burkwoodii is commonly included in a mixed planting, used in coastal gardens, planted as a backdrop for smaller plants, or included anywhere the flowering can be appreciated.

Buy Viburnum burkwoodii (Burkwood Viburnum)

From $141.61

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 2.50 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy

Garden uses: Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White

Viburnum davidii (female)

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This female variety of Viburnum is a popular evergreen shrub due to its lovely foliage and showy flowers. Pink flower buds open to reveal showy clusters of white flowers during spring. The flowers are great for attracting bees and birds and result in blue-black berries. The dark green foliage is lush and leathery and provides a great backdrop to the flowers. It typically grows to 2.5 m tall and the same wide and can be trimmed as necessary. Best performance with this shrub is achieved when it is grown in full sun on a well-drained site. It is a hardy plant that will tolerate dry periods, frost, and cool climates. This Viburnum is commonly included in a mixed planting, used as a backdrop for smaller plants, maintained in a container, included in cottage gardens, or grown anywhere the flowering can be appreciated.

Buy Viburnum davidii (female)

From $26.93

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 2.50 m

Spread: 2.50 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Pool areas, Screening

Garden styles: Alpine, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, White

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Rhododendron and Viburnum, or related Categories - Deciduous Shrubs Evergreen Shrubs and Vireya Rhododendon.

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What Makes Popcorn Viburnum Special?

Popcorn viburnum (Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum ‘Popcorn’) is admired for its masses of pure white, popcorn-like flower clusters, which bloom profusely in late spring into early summer. Each blossom sits atop the horizontal branches, almost seeming to float above the foliage. This ornamental shrub grows into an attractive, rounded shape—typically reaching up to two metres tall and wide—making it perfect for backdrops, screens, or standalone feature plants.

Unlike some flowering shrubs that offer fleeting displays, popcorn viburnum impresses with its extended flowering period. The deep green, deeply veined leaves provide texture through the summer and contribute to vivid autumn colour, with foliage turning shades of red and purple. Its structure and bloom power make it an excellent companion for mixed plantings. For a dramatic effect, pair it with evergreens or colourful foliage plants such as Sapium sebiferum (Chinese Tallowood).

Care and Growing Conditions

Popcorn viburnum thrives best in a sunny to partially shaded position with well-drained, humus-rich soil. It tolerates light frosts and is generally hardy throughout New Zealand’s climates. Regular watering helps establish your shrub in the first couple of years, but once established, it handles dry periods well. Mulching will keep roots cool and conserve moisture. If pruning is needed, carry this out right after flowering to maintain its natural, layered habit and encourage even more prolific blooms the following year.

Design Ideas with Popcorn Viburnum

Thanks to its striking visual impact, popcorn viburnum is highly versatile in any garden design. Use it to form informal hedges, create seasonal screens, or anchor the back of perennial borders. Its generous flowering pairs beautifully with other spring and summer highlights. If you’re passionate about viburnums, consider combining popcorn viburnum with relatives such as Viburnum Eskimo, Viburnum Newport (Doublefile Viburnum), Viburnum burkwoodii (Burkwood Viburnum), or the easy-care Viburnum davidii (female) for an extended flowering season and year-round interest.

Why Choose Popcorn Viburnum?

Popcorn viburnum is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a show-stopping flowering shrub that’s tough, reliable, and works in a range of garden styles. It’s deer resistant, generally pest-free, and requires minimal care once established. Whether you’re updating an established garden or starting a new landscape, popcorn viburnum and its relatives are sure to bring colour, structure, and natural beauty to your home. Start your viburnum collection today and see the difference these outstanding shrubs can make.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.