Viburnum opulus Xanthocarpum

Viburnum opulus 'Xanthocarpum' is an interesting sapwood viburnum with astonishing small yellow fruits, which become completely translucent in early winter, at full ripeness. This deciduous bush has a rounded habit, denser and more compact than usual varieties, and produces flattened white inflorescences in spring, comparable to those of Hydrangea serrata. Its foliage is also lighter and turns beautiful shades of yellow to purple in autumn. An original and colourful bush that adapts to any good garden soil that is not too dry.

The Guelder Rose, sometimes called Snowball Tree, sapwood, or just viburnum depending on the region, is a deciduous bush native to Europe and North Africa. It belongs to the Viburnaceae family. The cultivar 'Xanthocarpum' stands out with a sturdier habit, lighter foliage and yellow fruiting. This very bushy shrub will reach about 2.25m (7ft) in all directions. Its branches easily layer on the ground, which further enhances its bushy habit. It flowers in May-June, in the form of flattened corymbs measuring 6 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in diameter; they are compound, just like in hydrangeas, with a crown of sterile florets surrounding a central disk of fertile florets. This fragrant flowering is honey-bearing and nectar-rich. The fruiting is abundant and decorative, in the form of pendulous clusters filled with yellow round berries, 1cm (1in) in diameter, greatly appreciated by birds. Its wavy, rough foliage is green, then turns purple in autumn, so its interest in a garden is twofold. The leaves are divided into 3 to 5 acute lobes with dentate margins.

Completely hardy, the yellow-fruited Guelder Rose is a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in sunny or semi-shady positions, and flourishes in any ordinary soil that is rather moist, even limestone and clay. It can be used as a standalone to attract attention in small gardens. In larger gardens, it can be used in hedges or in flower beds. In a hedge, it can be planted with a variety of shrubs chosen for their autumn foliage (Euonymus europaeus, Euonymus alatus, Cotinus, oakleaf hydrangea, Physocarpus), their spring flowering (mock oranges, deutzias, lilacs, Canadian serviceberry), or even for their attractive fruiting (chokeberries, beautyberries, snowberries, Chinese quince). Its graceful inflorescences can be used in the composition of spring bouquets.