Viburnum opulus Oh Canada - Guelder Rose

Viburnum Oh Canada is an American variety of Viburnum whose deciduous foliage, cut in the manner of a Maple, adopts different shades throughout the season. This bush with changing foliage is also adorned with beautiful white spring flowering, which then evolves into small bright red fruits, very decorative in autumn. This bush of moderate growth with a rustic habit will be perfect in a natural garden, as well as in a mixed flower bed. It is easy to cultivate and adapts to any good garden soil if not too dry.

Viburnum opulus, sometimes called Guelder Rose, obier, sapwood Viburnum, or simply sapwood depending on the region, is a deciduous shrub native to Europe and North Africa. Formerly classified in the Caprifoliaceae family, it now belongs to the Adoxaceae family, like the Elderberry. The Viburnum opulus comes in a few varieties including the classic "snowball" (Viburnum opulus 'Roseum').
Oh Canada is one of the new selections that bring a breath of fresh air to the Viburnum genus. This selection is credited to Tim Woods, from Spring Meadow Nurseries in Michigan, USA. This bush displays moderate growth, reaching a height of about 1.80m to 2m at maturity, with a width of 1.50m to 1.80m, which allows it to be planted in any garden, even in a limited space. Its palmate leaves are divided into three main lobes, a larger central lobe and two smaller lateral lobes. The entire edge of the leaf has a fairly pronounced toothed margin, reminiscent of certain Maple species, which prompted the breeder to name it Oh Canada. These leaves, arranged opposite each other on the branches, are bright red when they emerge in spring. They then turn into a sumptuous chartreuse green, on which the new shoots stand out. In autumn, the foliage changes colour again, turning into a superb golden yellow before falling to the ground.
This beautiful bush blooms in May-June, in the form of flattened corymbs measuring 6 to 8 cm in diameter; these corymbs are compound, just like Hydrangeas, with a crown of sterile florets surrounding a central disc of fertile florets. This flowering, in addition to being ornamental, is very nectar-rich. The fruiting is abundant and decorative, in pendulous clusters of round, bright red berries measuring 1 cm in diameter, slightly translucent when ripe and loved by birds.
The sapwood Viburnum is an extremely hardy shrub, resistant to temperatures as low as -30°C. It grows in ordinary soils, preferably fairly fertile, and above all, it does not tolerate drought. Therefore, it needs moist, soil to develop well, in full sun or possibly in partial shade.

The Oh Canada variety will delight enthusiasts of decorative foliage, with its colours changing throughout the year and its beautifully cut leaves. With its lovely flowering and ornamental fruiting, it is interesting almost all year round, despite being deciduous. You can plant it in a mixed flower bed with many other plants, playing on both foliage and flowering. Forsythia intermedia Golden Times will allow you to extend the flowering season with its tide of small bright yellow flowers in March-April and its variegated yellow and green foliage will harmonise pleasantly with Oh Canada. For a strong contrast, use Weigela florida Alexandra with its dark purple foliage that will sharply contrast with the colours of your sapwood Viburnum, while its pink flowering, at the same time as the white of the Viburnum, will create a colourful scene. To enchant the summer and the end of the season, choose Hydrangea paniculata Diamant Rouge, a jewel that deserves its name with its generous flowering in large 30 cm diameter balls, starting in white in July and gradually turning a darker and darker pink, ending in wine red in September-October. Its autumn foliage is a superb orange and purple that will create a magical spectacle next to the golden yellow of Oh Canada!