Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus)
Guelder rose (Viburnum
opulus)
Familiar in our hedgerows the guelder rose is not a rose but a native member of the Viburnum family.
Still decorative though, the guelder rose
has umbels of white flowers in the spring and the bright red berries in the autumn that are lush and shine out gloriously.
The plant is closely related to the highbush Cranberry
though a little taller reaching 3 - 4 m in time but perfect for a hedge as it responds well to regular trimming.
Although the sweetness of the fruits can vary from bush to bush they have been widely used as a cranberry
substitute over the years as they share that same slight bitterness, V. opulus
being more likely to be on the bitter side than V. trilobum.
Either way and they will hang on the bushes into November and are improved by a little frost, and certainly provide a meal for grateful birds.
Please note, these plants are not self-fertile!