Viburnum plicatum Kilimanjaro Sunrise

Viburnum plicatum Kilimanjaro Sunrise 'JWW5' is a variety of Chinese snowball bush elected Plant of the Year at the 2015 Chelsea Flower Show and awarded at St Jean de Beauregard in 2011. It distinguishes itself from usual varieties by its surprisingly narrow and pyramidal habit, particularly suitable for small spaces. In spring, this deciduous bush is adorned with a multitude of pale pink flat inflorescences that resemble those of certain hydrangeas. This abundant flowering is followed by a multitude of red berries in late summer, tightly packed on beautiful clusters highlighted by foliage that turns purple before falling. It can even be appreciated in winter with its regularly layered and beautifully stylised branches, with a slightly Japanese appearance. This plant is beautiful all year round. It is easy to grow in any good garden soil and can even be grown in a large container.

Viburnum plicatum belongs to the Viburnaceae family, and is native to China and Japan. Kilimanjaro Sunrise is a Dutch creation that stands out mainly for its columnar habit, its abundant pink flowering followed by as many fruits, and its smaller size. With a horizontal branching, the plant has a characteristic layered habit. Its structured and light silhouette makes it attractive all year round, even in winter. It will reach a height of about 1.6m (5ft) and a width of 1m (3ft) at maturity, with a rather slow growth rate. Flowering occurs in May and continues until June. The 10cm (4in) wide flat cyme inflorescences develop at the end of the branches. They are composed of a peripheral crown of well-developed sterile flowers with pale pink elliptical petals washed with cream, surrounding small fertile flowers shaped like light pink buds that then turn white. The pollinated fertile flowers transform into small red berries that turn black when ripe, gathered in generous clusters. The deciduous leaves measure 5 to 8cm (2 to 3in) in length. They are oval-shaped, tapering, strongly veined, with regularly dentate edges. Their colour is a fairly dark and satin green on the upper side, with the underside being more pubescent. The foliage takes on sumptuous colours in autumn, from yellow to dark burgundy-red to purplish. 

A true "sunrise on a snowy mountain", this unusual bush deserves a prominent place in a small garden or in the centre of a mixed bed that will highlight summer and autumn blooms, beautiful fruits, and sculptural foliage. Plant Kilimanjaro Sunrise in a bed of flowering shrubs, alongside a sacred bamboo, a Black Lace elderberry, glorybower (Clerodendrum trichotomum), and Berberis thunbergii 'Atropurpurea' whose purple foliage will enhance its pink inflorescences and red fruits. It can also be planted with compact photinias, elaeagnus, camellias, or hydrangeas in non-calcareous soil. It also deserves to be placed in isolation in a small garden or in the centre of a bed of low perennials and grasses to admire its beautiful presence in winter. It can also be adopted in a large container on a patio or balcony.