snowball 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

If you’re searching for a striking, low-maintenance shrub with showstopping blooms, the snowball viburnum is a garden favourite in New Zealand for good reason. Renowned for its spectacular globe-shaped white flower clusters in spring, the snowball viburnum brings a burst of charm and elegance to any landscape. Whether you’re establishing a new garden or updating your outdoor space, this deciduous shrub offers lush foliage, reliable flowering, and easy care—making it a top pick for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

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 opulus Sterile

Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' (Snowball Bush) is a stunning deciduous shrub admired for its large rounded clusters of pure white flowers that resemble snowballs during spring. This classic ornamental shrub adds exceptional seasonal beauty to New Zealand gardens with its lush green foliage, vibrant flower displays, and attractive autumn colour. The bold blooms create strong visual impact in mixed borders and feature plantings. Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' (Snowball Bush) is easy to grow, low maintenance, and highly valued for its timeless garden appeal and impressive flowering performance.

Buy Viburnum opulus Sterile

From $26.93

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 3.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Flowering time: Spring

Tolerances: Hardy

Garden uses: Living areas

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

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You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Agapanthus and Viburnum, or related Categories - Perennials Deciduous Shrubs and Evergreen Shrubs.

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What is Snowball Viburnum?

Snowball viburnum is the common name often given to several cultivated varieties of the Viburnum genus, valued for their impressive spherical flower heads. The most popular is the Viburnum opulus roseum (Snowball Bush), sometimes also known as Viburnum opulus Sterile or European Snowball Bush. This classic shrub boasts clusters of snowball-like blooms in late spring, which gradually transition from green to pure white as they mature.

For those who want alternatives with a slightly different flowering structure, varieties like Viburnum plicatum, Viburnum plicatum Mariesii (Doublefile Viburnum), and Viburnum plicatum Tomentosum (Doublefile Viburnum) also create impressive displays and are suitable for New Zealand gardens.

Ideal Uses in the Garden

Snowball viburnum is as versatile as it is beautiful. Use it as a feature shrub to brighten up a garden border, or plant in groups for a dramatic hedge effect in spring. Its dense foliage adds year-round interest, and the blossoms make excellent cut flowers for arrangements. The snowball viburnum is also ideal for attracting pollinators like bees to your garden, encouraged by its showy blooms.

If you’re designing a traditional, cottage-style garden, snowball viburnum pairs beautifully with roses and spring bulbs. It’s equally at home in mixed shrub borders or as a backdrop for perennials.

Growing Snowball Viburnum in New Zealand

Growing snowball viburnum in New Zealand is straightforward. These shrubs thrive in full sun to part shade and prefer well-drained, fertile soil. In spring, the plant produces its signature “snowballs”; after flowering, its green foliage remains attractive until autumn. Pruning is simple—remove spent flower heads and maintain the shape after flowering.

The Viburnum opulus roseum (Snowball Bush) and Viburnum opulus Sterile (Snowball Bush) are both excellent choices for local conditions, tolerating a range of climates and minimal pests or diseases. For gardeners seeking a slightly different form, Viburnum plicatum varieties like Viburnum plicatum Mariesii (Doublefile Viburnum), and Viburnum plicatum Tomentosum (Doublefile Viburnum) offer elegant tiered branches and horizontal blooms.

Enhance Your Garden with Snowball Viburnum

Adding snowball viburnum to your garden guarantees months of impressive blooms and lush foliage. With their adaptability and timeless style, varieties like the Viburnum opulus roseum (Snowball Bush) and Viburnum plicatum breathe fresh life into lawns, borders, and hedges across New Zealand. Explore these stunning options—your garden will thank you each spring.

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.