Viburnum plicatum Kilimanjaro

Viburnum plicatum Kilimanjaro is a variety of Japanese snowball bush that won the Saint-Jean de Beauregard trophy in autumn 2011. It stands out from the usual varieties with its surprisingly narrow and pyramidal habit, perfectly suited for small spaces. In spring, this deciduous shrub is adorned with numerous pure white inflorescences that are slightly flattened, reminiscent of some hydrangeas. This abundant flowering is followed by a multitude of red berries in late summer, tightly clustered on beautiful bunches that are enhanced by foliage that turns red before falling. It can even be appreciated in winter due to its regularly tiered and beautifully stylized branches, giving it a somewhat Japanese appearance. This beautiful plant all year round is easy to acclimatize in any good garden soil and can even be grown in a large container.

Viburnum plicatum is a bush from the Caprifoliaceae family (recently Adoxaceae) native to China and Japan. Kilimanjaro is a Dutch selection that stands out mainly for its columnar habit, its abundant white flowering followed by numerous fruits, and its less significant growth. With its horizontal branches, the plant has a characteristic tiered habit, its structured yet light silhouette making it attractive all year round, even in winter. It reaches a height of about 1.80m (5ft 11in) and a width of 1m (3ft 4in) at maturity, with a rather slow growth. Flowering occurs in May and continues until June. The inflorescences in wide flat cymes of 10cm (3.9in) develop at the end of the branches. They consist of a peripheral crown of well-developed sterile flowers with white elliptical petals, surrounding small fertile flowers in the form of beige buds that turn white-green. Pollinated fertile flowers turn into small red berries that mature into black ones, gathered in generous clusters. The leaves, deciduous, measure 5 to 8cm (2 to 3.1in) long, are ovate in shape, tapering, strongly veined, with regularly dentate margins. They have a fairly dark and satin green colour on the upper surface, with the underside being more pubescent. The foliage takes on sumptuous autumn colours, from yellow to dark burgundy red to purplish. 

A true "snow-capped peak," this unusual bush deserves a prominent place in a small garden or at the centre of a mixed border that highlights summer and autumn blooms, beautiful fruiting, and graphic foliage, without overshadowing its beauty. This Viburnum Kilimanjaro can be planted in a flower shrub border, along with sacred bamboo, 'Black Lace' elderberry, glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum), and a 'Atropurpurea' Japanese barberry, whose purple foliage will enhance its pinkish inflorescences and red fruits. It can also be associated with compact Photinias, Elaeagnus, camellias, or hydrangeas in non-calcareous soil, the choice is vast. It also deserves to be placed alone in a small garden or at the centre of a bed of low perennials and grasses, due to its beautiful presence in winter. It can also be grown in a large container on the terrace or balcony.