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Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum ‘Popcorn’ (Japanese Snowball)

Japanese Snowball 'Popcorn'

AGM Award
Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum 'Popcorn', Japanese Snowball 'Popcorn', White flowers, Flowering Shrub,

One of the best heat and drought-tolerant viburnums, Viburnum plicatum f. plicatum ‘Popcorn’ (Japanese Snowball) is a dense, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub of upright habit, adorned with strongly-veined, dark green leaves that turn attractive burgundy and red shades in the fall. In mid to late spring, the bush is covered with small, rounded, popcorn-like clusters of white flowers up to 3 in. across (7 cm). It is hard not to be overwhelmed by the many flowers that line the strongly ascending branches! Flowering earlier than the other Viburnum plicatum varieties, ‘Popcorn’ has real flower power.

  • Grows up to 5-8 ft. tall (150-240 cm) and 4-7 ft. wide (120-210 cm)
  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • A full sun or part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Thrives in moist loams, but this plant tolerates a wide range of soils. Some drought tolerance once established.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant, in shrub borders, hedges, and screens or foundation plantings.
  • Attractive to butterflies!
  • Low maintenance, this plant has no serious insect or disease problems
  • Prune as required immediately after flowering.
  • Viburnum plicatum species is native to Japan and China.
  • Find where this species is invasive in the United States.
  • Discover beautiful U.S. native plant alternatives.

Viburnum: How to Grow and Care with Success


Want to learn how to grow and care for Viburnum like a pro? Follow these simple steps and enjoy the beauty of these striking shrubs.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Adoxaceae
Genus Viburnum
Common names Viburnum, Japanese snowball
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 5' - 8'
(150cm - 240cm)
Spread 4' - 7'
(120cm - 210cm)
Spacing 48" - 84"
(120cm - 210cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Viburnum opulus ‘Nanum’ (European Cranberrybush)
Viburnum odoratissimum (Sweet Viburnum)
Viburnum farreri (Farrer Viburnum)
Viburnum setigerum (Tea Viburnum)
Viburnum ‘Pragense’ (Prague Viburnum)
Viburnum macrocephalum (Chinese Snowball Viburnum)

Recommended Companion Plants

Rhododendron ‘English Roseum’
Myosotis sylvatica (Wood Forget-Me-Not)
Hosta (Plantain Lily)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Small Trees and Shrubs That Attract Birds
Pure White Flowers for a Touch of Elegance in Your Garden
Choosing Your Ideal Hedge: A Guide to Top Shrubs for Any Garden
Add a Splash of Color: Perfect Flowering Shrubs for Small Gardens
35 Flowering Shrubs That Thrive in Full Sun
40 Beautiful Native Shrubs for Shade
Viburnum – What Is Wrong With My Shrub?
Viburnum – Pests and Diseases to Watch Out For
Viburnum: How to Grow and Care with Success
10 Creative Ways to Incorporate Viburnum in Your Garden
Why You Should Avoid Growing Invasive Viburnums
Native Viburnums: Ideal Shrubs for Your Garden
Viburnum
Create a Garden with Great Winter Interest
Shrubs and Trees with Colorful Fruits and Berries in Winter
Native Plant Alternatives to Viburnum opulus (European Cranberrybush)
Native Plant Alternatives to Viburnum plicatum (Japanese Snowball)
Native Plant Alternatives to Viburnum dilatatum (Linden Viburnum)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Adoxaceae
Genus Viburnum
Common names Viburnum, Japanese snowball
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 5' - 8'
(150cm - 240cm)
Spread 4' - 7'
(120cm - 210cm)
Spacing 48" - 84"
(120cm - 210cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy
Tolerance Drought
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Informal and Cottage
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Guides with
Viburnum
Not sure which Viburnum to pick?
Compare Now

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