Viburnum farreri (Farrer viburnum)

Botanical name

Viburnum farreri

Other names

Farrer viburnum, Viburnum 'Fragrans', Viburnum fragrans 'Bunge'

Genus

Viburnum Viburnum

Species

V. farreri - V. farreri is an upright to rounded, deciduous shrub with oval, toothed, veined, dark green leaves, bronze when young, and, from late autumn into winter, dense clusters of pink buds opening to fragrant, tubular, white flowers followed by spherical, bright red fruit.

Native to

China

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Clusters of flowers are very fragrant from late autumn and throughout winter.

Habit

Upright

Toxicity

The fruit can cause stomach upset if eaten

Awards

RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)

Colour

Flower

White in Autumn; White in Winter

Foliage

Bronze in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Purple in Autumn

How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free.

Specific pests

Viburnum beetle , Viburnum whitefly

Specific diseases

Leaf spot

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 8. Tolerates hard pruning.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings

Monthly care advice

Where to grow

Viburnum farreri (Farrer viburnum) will reach a height of 2.5m and a spread of 2.5m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, humus-rich, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. In mild winters, may bloom into early spring.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Viburnum farreri (Farrer viburnum)

Common pest name

Ramorum leaf blight; Ramorum shoot dieback; Rhododendron twig blight; Sudden oak death

Scientific pest name

Phytophthora ramorum

Type

Oomycete

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Pathogen of larch and other hosts subject to EU emergency legislation. A containment strategy is in place in the UK; reflecting its presence in wider environment/forestry settings in some areas. EU regulatory status is under review.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Viburnum farreri (Farrer viburnum)

Common pest name

assam thrips; castor thrips; chilli thrips; yellow tea thrips

Scientific pest name

Scirtothrips dorsalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

EU listed pest for citrus but highly polyphagous and intercepted on a number of hosts. EU legislation should be updated to reflect wider host list.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Viburnum farreri (Farrer viburnum)

Common pest name

pink wax scale; red was scale; ruby wax scale

Scientific pest name

Ceroplastes rubens

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Based on its biology and low potential impact continued action on this pest in the UK would not be considered appropriate. It is likely to be of more concern to southern Member States of the EU; as it is an economic pest of citrus.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/