Preferred common name: Guelder rose
Other common names: crampbark, cranberry, dog eller, dog rowan, European cranberry bush, European cranberry tree, gatten, gatten tree, marsh alder, ople tree, red elder, rose elder, snowball tree, water elder, whitten tree
 The RHS Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) is a British native plant, but it is also common across Europe. The name Guelder originates from the Dutch province of Guelderland.
The RHS Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) is a vigorous, bushy, native deciduous shrub that has something for every season. With flat heads of heavily scented white flowers in summer, followed by masses of bunches of translucent bright red berries in autumn that stay on the plant until after its leaves have dropped. The berries are slightly harmful to humans, but are vigorously eaten by birds. The dark green leaves are palmate and prominently veined, turn red in autumn, complementing the red berries. In autumn, its foliage turns into a vibrate red colour.
In order to get good berries, the plant must flower first, therefore prune out old growth after flowering to encourage new stems that will bloom the following year, taking care not to remove flowering/berrying stems. It can be grown as an informal hedge or added to a mixed native hedge, taking into consideration that more than one Guelder Rose will provide a higher certainty of pollination to provide good fruiting.
Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) is suitable for all soils and positions, in particular moist soil and wet sites and performs best in sunlight or light shade. For hedges 5-10ft, plant 2ft (60cm) apart.
The Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) has no serious insect or disease problems. It is wildlife friendly, with 17 identified insect types associated. A potential disease is leaf spot. Potential insects include aphids, viburnum beetle or viburnum whitefly.
Toxicity; fruit can cause a mild stomach upset.
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