Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring tree)

Botanical name

Viburnum lantana

Other names

Wayfaring tree, Twistwood, Lithy tree, Mealy tree, The cottoner, Common wayfaring tree, Cotton tree, Coven tree

Genus

Viburnum Viburnum

Species

V. lantana - V. lantana is a vigorous, upright, deciduous shrub with broadly ovate, finely-toothed, grey-green leaves and, in late spring and early summer, loosely domed cymes of small, tubular, white flowers followed by ovoid to oblong, red fruit ripening black.

Native to

Africa, Asia, Europe

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright

Toxicity

The fruit can cause stomach upset if eaten

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Colour

Flower

White in Spring; White in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Pests

Generally pest free.

Specific pests

Aphids , Viburnum beetle

Specific diseases

Leaf spot

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 8.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring tree) will reach a height of 5m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Woodland

Cultivation

Plant in moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

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, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring tree)

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 lantana (Wayfaring tree)

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 lantana (Wayfaring tree)

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/