Guelder Rose Bare Root Plant (Viburnum opulus)

Name: Guelder Rose Bare Root Plant (Viburnum opulus)
SKU: HHG-BR-GUELDER
Price: 8.95 GBP
Availability: InStock

£8.95

Lace-cap blossom, jewel berries and fiery autumn colour.

Guelder rose carries flat lace-cap heads of white flowers in early summer, followed by translucent, glossy red berries and spectacular crimson autumn leaves. Its bark is known in herbal tradition as cramp bark.

Flowers: May–June
Season of interest: Berries and autumn colour from September
Wildlife: Hoverflies and pollinators, berries for birds in winter
Supplied as: a single field-grown bare root plant

Please note: the raw berries are not edible.

Seasonal shipping notice
Bare root plants are despatched only in the dormant season, November to February, so they arrive asleep and establish strongly in spring.

Guelder rose is also part of our Native Heal Foragers Hedge – Living Hedgerow Collection.

Botanical name: Viburnum opulus

Common name: Guelder Rose, Cramp Bark, Water Elder

Life cycle: Deciduous native shrub

Height: 3–4m

Spread: Up to 3m

Flowers: White lace-cap heads, May–June

Position: Full sun or partial shade

Soil: Moist soils; tolerates clay and damp ground

Hardiness: Fully hardy

Suitable for containers: Possible in a large pot

Suitable for beginners: Yes

Pollinator value: High – flowers for hoverflies and bees, berries for birds

Planting

Location: Sun or partial shade. Particularly happy in damp corners and by ponds.

Planting time: November to March while the plant is dormant, whenever the ground is not frozen or waterlogged. Soak the roots in a bucket of water for an hour before planting.

Spacing: About 1m apart in a mixed hedge.

Care

Watering: Keep moist in the first year. It likes damp soil and will need water in dry spells.

Feeding: A spring mulch of compost is enough.

Pruning: Remove a few older stems after flowering to keep the shrub open and productive.

Harvesting & Storage

Harvesting: The plant is grown mainly for ornament and wildlife. Bark was traditionally collected in spring.

Storage: Not applicable for most gardeners.

UK Growing Conditions

Hardy everywhere in the UK and one of the best native shrubs for wet or heavy soil.

Traditional Herbal Uses

The bark of guelder rose is known in herbal tradition as 'cramp bark'. The raw berries are not edible.

Please note: Traditional uses are included for cultural and educational interest and are not medical advice. This product is sold as a garden plant. Seek professional advice before using any plant medicinally.

Wildlife & Garden Benefits

The flowers attract hoverflies and bees, the glossy red berries feed birds in winter, and the autumn leaves turn rich red.

Bare root plants: Bare root plants are lifted from the field while dormant and despatched only between November and February. Orders placed now are reserved and sent at the right planting moment, with an email beforehand giving your delivery window.

On arrival: Plant as soon as possible. If you cannot plant straight away, keep the roots moist and wrapped, or heel the plants into a trench of soil until conditions allow.

Other items in your order: Seeds and garden supplies are normally despatched within 2–4 working days.