A Lace Cap Viburnum
Viburnum sargentii ‘Onondaga’, commonly known as the Sargent Viburnum or Asian Guelder Rose, is a striking deciduous shrub prized for its two-tone lacecap flowers, maple-shaped foliage, and vibrant seasonal color changes.
Ideal for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, high-impact plant, ‘Onondaga’ thrives in a variety of conditions and delivers year-round interest.
Features & Seasonal Interest
Lacecap Blooms: In spring, the shrub produces clusters of pink buds surrounded by a ring of white flowers, creating a dramatic contrast against the foliage.
Attractive Foliage: New leaves emerge in soft bronze tones, maturing to mid-green with a fine texture. In autumn, foliage turns rich shades of red and burgundy.
Berries: Following flowering, the inner pink buds open fully and are succeeded by clusters of bright red berries.
Natural Shape: Forms a rounded, spreading shrub with a mature size of approximately 2 to 2.5 meters (6 to 8 feet) in both height and width.
How to grow Viburnum sargentii ‘Onondaga’ – Basic Care
Best Growing Conditions
Sunlight: Performs well in full sun to part shade. For optimal flower and foliage color, provide afternoon shade in hotter climates.
Soil Requirements: Adaptable to a wide range of soils, preferring humus-rich, well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5.
Climate Zones: Suitable for cool to warm temperate zones, and cold-hardy down to -20°C (-4°F) once established.
Planting & Care Tips
How to Plant Viburnum ‘Onondaga’
- Choose a spot with ample space for mature growth (2m wide).
- Prepare soil by removing weeds, digging over the area, and enriching with compost and aged cow or sheep manure or activated charcoal.
- Plant at the same depth as in the nursery container.
- Water in well using a liquid seaweed fertilizer.
- Apply mulch to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.
General Care
- Watering: Water regularly during the first summer. Once established, only water during extended dry periods.
- Fertilizing: Use a slow-release fertilizer in early spring, followed by a liquid feed later in the season.
- Mulching: Maintain a thick mulch layer to suppress weeds and regulate soil temperature.
Pruning Viburnum ‘Onondaga’
Prune to shape immediately after flowering or in late winter as it flowers on old wood. Light pruning encourages denser growth and promotes better flowering the following season.
This is a plant that does not require a lot of pruning, however, once established you can remove sone of the oldest stems to renew and refresh growth.
Landscape Uses
- Ideal as a specimen shrub in garden beds and borders.
- Works well as a foundation plant or backdrop in mixed plantings.
- Can be planted in rows for informal hedging or used to stabilize embankments and slopes.
- Great for wildlife gardens—flowers attract pollinators and berries provide food for birds.
- It is more compact than Viburnum opulus.- European Guelder Rose
Quick Facts at a Glance
- Climate Zones – Warm to Cool temperate.
- Growth Habit – Spreading Shrub
- Position – Full sun to part shade.
- Soil – Humus rich well drained.
- Fertiliser – Use a slow release type in spring and a liquid type at the end of spring.
- Mulch – Mulch around the plants to maintain a cool root run.
- Watering – Water well through the first summer. After this you should only need to water during long dry periods.
- Tolerance – Frost and drought tolerant once established. Will tolerate cold winter temperatures to around -20C
- Pruning – The best time to prune is in autumn.
- Also known as the Asian guilder rose.
Why Choose Viburnum sargentii ‘Onondaga’?
If you’re looking for a versatile, ornamental shrub that thrives in a variety of conditions and delivers multi-season beauty, ‘Onondaga’ is a top choice. Its showy blooms, vibrant berries, and fall color make it a standout in any garden.
Where To Buy
412 James Lane, Fern Hill VIC. 3458 - Phone 0419002651
Large range of Rare plants, Climbers, Bulbs, Perennials Fruit Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. Available both Retail and by Mail Order
www.whitehousenursery.com.au
862 Midland Highway Mount Rowan Vic 3352
We offer over 245 varieties of Fuchsia, tubestock, pots, baskets and standards. Mail order specialists. Open 7 days by appointment.
www.brenlissaonlinenursery.com.au
