One of the most popular hedging plants, Viburnum tinus is easy to manage, has good dense growth and attractive foliage. Better suited as a smaller hedge than V. odoratissimum.
With good dense bushy foliage and mid to deep green foliage Viburnum Tinus is widely used as an evergreen hedging plant. Viburnum Tinus (picture right) is sometimes commonly called the ‘Laurustinus’ tree or plant.
V. tinus is used both as flowering shrub or screening plant. Very popular with landscapers as it has a moderate growth rate. White flowers in summer follow the pink buds in abundance in spring.
Viburnum Tinus Varieties
- V. tinus ‘Eve Price’- A smaller rounded form with white flowers.
- V. tinus ‘Variegatum’ – Variegated foliage as the name suggests, not widely offered in Australia.
How To Grow Viburnum Tinus – Basic Care
Growing well in part shade to full sun this Viburnum also does well in coastal conditions. Reaching 3 -4 m and being frost tolerant of the viburnums, V. Tinus makes a great hedging plant and can also be used at the rear of the garden border as a background plant.
It will grow in light shade however exposure to full for part of the day is sun is best
The fruits are regarded as being mildly toxic to humans and animals.
Like most large shrubs Viburnum tinus should be planted at least 2m from houses and other buildings 3m is better.
Viburnum Tinus Hedges
Excellent as a smaller hedge to around 1.5 – 2m in height as it is slower growing than others. Smaller foliage also makes for a neater hedge after pruning. It can be grown to 3m, however seems happier if kept a little smaller.
Plant Viburnum tinus at around 1m apart or at 70cm for a quicker dense hedge. Pruning can be carried out in early spring, or light pruning at any time of the year except during very cold spells.
Problems
Avoid damaging the stem or trunk with line trimmers as this can basically ringbark, or girdle the plant causing the plant to die.
Other problems include, wet soggy soils, drought and dry soils especially in young plants. Prolonged exposure to hot drying winds,
Root System and Pruning
The feeder roots are generally in the top 30cm off the soil, deeper roots will reach 45cm and more.
It is a pant that will recover from hard pruning, and this is the best way to rejuvenate older plants, the right time to prune or cut back heavily this way is after the last frosts in late winter or spring.
Summary
- Common Names – Laurustinus, Laurustinus Viburnum.
- Height – 3m
- Spread – 3m
- Position – Full sun to a little shade.
- Growth rate – Medium
- Foliage – Glossy green
- Flowers – White
- Flowering time – Spring.
- Frost tolerant – Yes
- Coastal conditions – Yes
Further Reading
OTHER VIBURNUM SPECIES and CULTIVARS
- Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’
- Viburnum odoratissimum
- VIiburnum opulus
- Viburnum ‘Emerald Lustre‘
- VIiburnum plicatum
- Viburnum suspensum
Viburnum tinus is available for sale from the following listed participating nurseries
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au