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Viburnum lantana (Wayfaring tree)
1 hour care
per year
per year
5m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
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.
Viburnum lantana is: Deciduous
Habit
Upright
Toxicity
The fruit can cause stomach upset if eaten
Flower
White in Spring; White in Summer
Foliage
Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Specific pests
Aphids , Viburnum beetle Aphids , Viburnum beetle
Leaf spot Leaf spot
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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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)
Companion plants
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
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Specific pests
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 8.
Propagation methods
Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
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: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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