Viburnum lucidum

Viburnum lucidum is an evergreen bush that is not widely planted in our gardens despite its many qualities. It is medium-sized but vigorous, with dense vegetation. Its beautiful shiny acidic green foliage transforms into dazzling colours in cold weather, and is adorned in spring with a vaporous white flowering with a pronounced fragrance. Its appearance is reminiscent of cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus). it tolerates many growing conditions and can be pruned if necessary. This excellent evergreen hedge plant surpasses cherry laurel in terms of disease resistance, fragrance, and elegance.

Viburnum lucidum is a spontaneous species in the Himalayas, the Philippines, and Japan. It belongs to the Viburnaceae family. It is a large bush with a rounded and dense habit, which can easily reach 3.75m (12ft) in height and 2.5m (8ft) in width. Its growth rate is moderate, depending on growing conditions. Its leaves are evergreen in winter. They are thick, leathery, ovate and elongated, 6 to 10cm (2 to 4in) long, shiny on the upper side, with a beautiful acidic green colour, and often take on beautiful salmon to red or even purple hues in autumn and winter. Between May and June, it produces numerous upright pyramidal panicles, about 10cm (4in) in diameter, composed of tiny white flowers turning creamy white. The flowers are pleasantly fragrant and attract many insects. After pollination, small berries form, changing from coral red to black. They are highly sought after by birds. To avoid compromising next year's flowering, prune just after flowering. The bush is hardy down to -10 to -12 °C (14 to 10.4°F).

Not very demanding but somewhat sensitive to cold, especially in its early years, Viburnum lucidum is a robust plant that requires little maintenance once well established. It can be used in an informal or trimmed hedge, in a large shrub bed, or isolated in a small-sized garden. This viburnum tolerates heat and summer drought fairly well once well-established. Pair it with Choisya ternata 'Goldfinger', Cornus sanguinea 'Magic Flame', or even other viburnums like Viburnum opulus 'Compactum', Viburnum burkwoodii, or Viburnum 'Pragense'.

For a play of colours and shapes, plant Photinia Chico nearby, which has copper-coloured young shoots, but is much smaller (1m (3ft)).