Viburnum opulus
| Viburnum opulus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 3 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 16' |
| Width: | 16' |
| Speed: | Moderate |
| Blooms: | Early Summer-Mid Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Viburnum opulus (common name: guelder rose)
Propagation: Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking more than 18 months. If the seed is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has fully ripened) and sown immediately in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[1]. Stored seed will require 2 months warm then 3 months cold stratification and can still take 18 months to germinate[2]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of soft-wood, early summer in a frame[3]. Pot up into individual pots once they start to root and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm long with a heel if possible, July/August in a frame[4][2]. Plant them into individual pots as soon as they start to root. These cuttings can be difficult to overwinter, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame until the following spring before planting them out[2].
Cuttings of mature wood, winter in a frame. They should root in early spring - pot them up when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if sufficient new growth is made, otherwise keep them in a cold frame for the next winter and then plant them out in the spring.
Layering of current seasons growth in July/August. Takes 15 months[4].
Cultivation: An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils but is ill-adapted for poor soils and for dry situations[5]. It prefers a deep rich moist loamy soil in a sunny position[6]. Succeeds in semi-shade but does not grow or fruit so well in such a position[7]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and on chalk[8]. Does not do well on very acid soils. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[3].
A very ornamental plant[5], it is hardy to about -30°c[8] and is often grown in the flower garden. There are many named varieties[8].
Guelder rose regenerates quickly if it is cut to the ground, it can also produce suckers and will often form thickets[7].
The plant is an alternative host for the broad bean aphid[6].
Range: Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain, north and west Asia.
Habitat: Hedges, scrub and woodland, usually on damp soils[9][10][11].
Edibility: Fruit - raw or cooked[12][9][13][14]. The fruit is up to 8.5mm in diameter but with a large seed[3]. A sour taste, it is best cooked. The crushed fruit has an unpleasant smell[15]. Used as a cranberry substitute in making, jellies, preserves etc[16]. Some caution is advised, see notes on toxicity at top of the page.
Medicinal: Guelder rose is a powerful antispasmodic and is much used in the treatment of asthma, cramps and other conditions such as colic or painful menstruation[17]. It is also used as a sedative remedy for nervous conditions[17].
The bark is antispasmodic, astringent and sedative[15][18][14][19][20]. The bark contains 'scopoletin', a coumarin that has a sedative affect on the uterus[21]. A tea is used internally to relieve all types of spasms, including menstrual cramps, spasms after childbirth and threatened miscarriage[18][22][21]. It is also used in the treatment of nervous complaints and debility[15][14][19][20]. The bark is harvested in the autumn before the leaves change colour, or in the spring before the leaf buds open. It is dried for later use[21].
The leaves and fruits are antiscorbutic, emetic and laxative[15][22].
A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh bark[18]. It is used in the treatment of menstrual pain and spasms after childbirth[18].
Usage: A red dye is obtained from the fruit[10].
An ink can be made from the dried berries[15].
Plants can be grown as a tall hedge[23], they are rather bare in winter though[K].
The wood can be used to make skewers[15].
Pollinators: Insects, self
Notes: We could probably supply this in the next catalogue.
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Seed Ripens: Early Fall-Mid Fall
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Known Hazards: Large quantities of the fruit can cause vomiting and diarrhoea[24][25]. The fruit is of very low or zero toxicity, it only causes mild upsets when eaten unripe or in large quantities[25][26].
Links
References
- ↑ McMillan-Browse, Philip. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books, 1985.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Beckett, Kenneth and Gillian Beckett. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold, 1979.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Simmons, Alan. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles, 1972.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Triska, Jan. Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn, 1975.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.
- ↑ Hedrick, Ulysses. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications, 1972.
- ↑ Mabey, Richard. Food for Free. Collins, 1974.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Uphof, Johannes. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim, 1959.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 Grieve, Margaret. A Modern Herbal. Penguin, 1984.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Launert, Edmund. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn, 1981.
- ↑ 19.0 19.1 Mills, Simon. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Weiner, Michael. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books, 1980.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Foster, Steven and Billy Tatum. Medicinal Plants of Eastern and Central North America. Houghton Mifflin, 1990.
- ↑ Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.
- ↑ Altmann, Horst. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus, 1980.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 Frohne, Dietrich and Hans Pfänder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Timber Press, 1984.
- ↑ Cooper, Marion. Poisonous Plants in Britain and their Effects on Animals and Man. The Stationery Office, 1984.