Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

viburnum opulus green

Viburnum opulus 'Sterile', often celebrated for its vivid green foliage and iconic snowball blooms, is a stunning addition to any New Zealand garden. Commonly referred to as Viburnum opulus green, this tough yet elegant deciduous shrub stands out for its lush leaves and spectacular clusters of sterile, white flowers that appear from late spring into early summer. Perfect as a striking focal point, Viburnum opulus green brings reliable structure, seasonal interest, and easy-care beauty to mixed borders, cottage gardens, and lush screening plantings.

Viburnum opulus Sterile (Snowball Bush)

Snowball Bush

Viburnum opulus 'Sterile' is a deciduous shrub known for its beautiful clusters of white flowers without producing berries. This low-maintenance variety is perfect for gardeners seeking a tidy, non-fruiting shrub ideal for hedges, borders, and ornamental planting in New Zealand gardens.

viburnum-opulus-sterile-
  • 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
viburnum-emerald-beauty-3
Most Popular

Viburnum 'Emerald Beauty'

Viburnum Emerald Beauty is a popular variety due to its impressive foliage and showy flowers. Purple-pink flower buds open to reveal showy clusters...

From$26.93
viburnum-emerald-lustre-
Most Popular

Viburnum 'Emerald Lustre'

Viburnum Emerald Lustre features pink flower buds that open to reveal clusters of mildly fragrant, white-light pink flowers during winter and early...

From$29.63
viburnum-dawn-2
Most Popular

Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'

Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn' is a beautiful deciduous shrub prized for its fragrant soft pink flowers that appear from late autumn through winter...

From$36.38
viburnum-davidii-female--2
Most Popular

Viburnum davidii (female)

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...

From$26.93
viburnum-dense-fence-4
Most Popular

Viburnum Dense Fence

Viburnum Dense Fence is an evergreen shrub that features glossy foliage that emerges red and ages to become dark green. Left untrimmed it will grow...

From$26.93
camellia-sasanqua-paradise-helen-
Most Popular

Camellia 'Paradise Helen'

Camellia 'Paradise Helen' is a graceful evergreen shrub that produces soft pink blooms, adding elegance and seasonal colour to New Zealand gardens...

From$33.68
Callistemon citrinus 'White Anzac' white flowers amidst green foliage.
Most Popular

Callistemon 'White Anzac' (White Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'White Anzac' is a low growing spreading bottlebrush known for its elegant white flower brushes that appear from late spring through...

From$26.93
A Tui in a Metrosideros carminea shrub feeding on the red flowers.
Most Popular

Metrosideros carminea

Metrosideros carminea, commonly known as Climbing Rata or Crimson Rata Vine, is a striking New Zealand native valued for its vivid red flowers and...

From$25.58
leptospermum-princess-anne--3
Most Popular

Leptospermum 'Princess Anne'

Leptospermum 'Princess Anne' is a stunning evergreen shrub admired for its masses of soft pink flowers and fine foliage. Flowering in spring, it...

From$26.93
Loropetalum 'China Pink' ground cover plant with purple foliage.
Most Popular

Loropetalum 'China Pink'

Loropetalum 'China Pink' produces fragrant, pink flowers in winter, which are both unusual and appealing. The foliage is oval, rich purple, and held...

From$28.28
Viburnum opulus Sterile (Snowball Bush)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring Viburnum or Deciduous Shrubs.

Search Viburnum opulus Sterile (Snowball Bush)

Why Choose Viburnum opulus green?

Viburnum opulus green is renowned for its attractive, deeply veined foliage, which emerges a fresh bright green in spring and holds its vivid colour through summer. In autumn, the leaves often take on hues of deep red and purple, extending the season of interest well beyond flowering. The plant’s signature showpiece is its pom-pom-like flower clusters—large, rounded balls of pure white that hold their shape and brilliance for weeks.

Since the flowers are sterile, there’s no fruit or messy drop to worry about, making this selection extra tidy. With a moderate growth habit reaching up to 3–4 metres high and wide, Viburnum opulus green fits beautifully into larger shrub borders, privacy screens, and even as a specimen shrub anchoring a lawn or entranceway.

Growing Requirements for Viburnum opulus green

Viburnum opulus green thrives in full sun or part shade and prefers well-drained, fertile soil. It is hardy throughout New Zealand, tolerating both cold winters and humid summers. Once established, it's remarkably low maintenance—simply trim back after flowering if you wish to maintain a tidy shape or control its size.

For gardeners seeking a reliable and fuss-free shrub, Viburnum opulus green is a natural choice. It copes well in windy positions but appreciates some shelter from the harshest coastal conditions.

Landscaping with Viburnum opulus green

This versatile shrub complements a wide array of garden styles. Use Viburnum opulus green as an informal hedge, or let it mingle amongst other spring-flowering favourites in a woodland-themed border. It pairs beautifully with Viburnum 'Emerald Lustre' for contrasting leaf texture and Viburnum 'Emerald Beauty' for a sequence of bloom times. For fragrance and winter interest, consider combining it with Viburnum bodnantense 'Dawn'.

Whether you create a dense screen using the Viburnum Dense Fence or mix with evergreen structure such as Pittosporum Taupo (Dwarf Pittosporum), the lush leafy palette of Viburnum opulus green stands out. Try adding splashes of colour with Fuchsia 'Carn Brea', Hebe Abbey Rose, or the vibrant Rhododendron Golden Gate for year-round excitement.

Caring for Your Viburnum opulus green

To keep your Viburnum opulus green healthy, water well during its first season and mulch in spring to conserve moisture. A general garden feed in late winter helps promote lush growth and prolific flowering. Light pruning after flowering will keep the shrub neat and encourage a fuller habit. With minimal care, this gorgeous shrub will provide decades of reliable beauty.

Explore our range of compatible shrubs, such as Viburnum davidii (female) or striking tropical accents like Tibouchina 'Skylab', and bring new layers of interest to your outdoor space. Choose Viburnum opulus green for a garden that is lush, classic, and full of life.


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.

Our garden favourites Ficus benjamina 'Starlight' and Corokia 'Bronze King' get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Phaseolus caracalla, Camellia sasanqua 'Paradise Diana', and Gaura Steffi Dark Rose.
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.9

433 Google reviews