Plant Type

Shrub

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Dark Green, Red

 

Bark Color

Brown, Grey

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Medium, High

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Well-drained, Moist

 

Soil pH

Neutral

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Background, Foundation, Walls / Fences

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Screen

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

One of the old-fashioned "snowball bushes" that has been a garden favorite for centuries, this plant is best known for its large heads of sterile flowers that open green and mature to ivory white. These blooms may last for weeks, but they result in no fruit. It is a large-growing, rounded shrub that may reach 12 feet tall and wide. Leaves are bright green during the summer, and turn a purplish red in the fall

Grow in well drained soil, preferrably of a loamy nature, in full sun to partial shade. While adaptive to a variety of soil types, best growth occurs in fertile sandy-loam or clay-loam soils. Tolerant of alkaline soils. Occasional and selective pruning of oldest wood will keep the shrub compact, densely leafed, and tidy; shearing makes it very twiggy (see Guides). It may be attacked frequently by aphids that distort tender young growth; control with insecticidal soaps. Also listed as V.o. 'Sterile'.