Viburnum lantana / Viburno lantana

Origin: Central and Southern Europe, Minor Asia, North Africa.

Botanical characteristics: It is a large deciduous shrub, vigorous and erect with young shoots covered with thick down. Leaves are ovate, toothed, dark green on the upper surface, lighter and downy below. In autumn they turn red. In May it blooms creamy-white flowers, umbrella-shaped, up to 10 cm wide. Fruits: oval drupe first red and then black.

Agronomic and environmental characteristics: It is common in the Alps and Northern Apennines, mainly in thermophilous oak forest. It prefers dry and limestone soils. It has an high resistance to drought and pollution.

Use: It is suitable for gardens and wild grove areas or for rural hedges, to coat slopes and riverbanks, to reforest uncultivated areas and ruderal hillside.