Viburnum tinus Giganteum

Viburnum tinus 'Giganteum', sometimes marketed under the name V. tinus 'Macrophyllum', is a variety of laurustinus that stands out for its large leaves and flowers. The bush is also particularly vigorous and grows rapidly. With dense foliage and evergreen in winter, it tolerates pruning well, making it perfect for creating a windbreak or hedge, alone or mixed with other shrubs. Its flowers feed bees from autumn to the end of winter. It provides shelter and food for birds that seek its berries.

Laurustinus Giganteum belongs to the Viburnaceae family (also Caprifoliaceae or Adoxaceae depending on classifications). The species Viburnum tinus is native to the Mediterranean basin and can be found in the undergrowth, on the edge of forests, and in scrubland. It is a evergreen bush relatively resistant to cold (down to -15°C (5 °F) for short periods for a mature subject), which adapts to a wide range of soils as long as they are not too wet or waterlogged in winter. Its fruits are consumed by birds that 'sow' the plant under the trees they use as perches: it is typically an undergrowth bush that tolerates the root competition of other trees perfectly.

Viburnum tinus 'Giganteum', which grows quite fast, forms a bush with an upright and rounded habit, branching from the base. It will reach about 3m (10 ft) in height and 2.50m (8 ft) in spread. Its branches bear larger leaves than the typical species type. They are simple, elliptical, pointed at their tips. With a leathery texture, they are slightly shiny and evergreen in winter. In spring the young leaves are a tender green and then turn dark green when mature. Flowering often begins in autumn, depending on the region. At the tips of one-year-old or older branches, inflorescences form in cymes that resemble round and slightly bulging clusters, measuring 6 to 8cm (2.4 to 3 in) in diameter. They are densely filled with dull purple-pink flower buds that remain decorative throughout winter. These buds open from February to late March, into small flowers measuring 2 to 3mm (0.1 in) in diameter, with 5 white petals. This slightly fragrant flowering is much visited by bees. After pollination the flowers give way to ovoid berries measuring 4 to 5mm (0.2 in) in length, with a metallic blue-black colour, containing a single seed, carried by pink-colored petioles. In the case of the laurustinus the seeds must be freed from their pulp in order to germinate: this step occurs naturally in the digestive system of birds.

Remaining verdant throughout the year and very robust, the Giganteum laurustinus is an excellent hedging bush. Like Photinias, Elaeagnus, and winter-flowering shrubs, it is perfect for bringing life to the garden during the shortest days of the year. It is also an essential plant for creating the permanent, evergreen structure of the garden, especially in the hot and dry regions where it thrives. Tolerating shade and root competition very well, Viburnum can be combined in undergrowth areas with Sarcococca and sacred bamboo, for example. As it withstands repeated pruning very well, it can be used in topiary art to sculpt original shapes from its foliage.