Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) Viburnum plicatum
Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) (Viburnum plicatum) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Viburnaceae family, native to Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan. It grows 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) tall and 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -29 °C (-20 °F). Space plants about 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart.
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Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Viburnaceae |
| Mature height | 2–3.5 m (6.6–11 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 2.5 m (8.2 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -29 °C (-20 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan |
| Common in gardens of | 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇨🇳 China, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇨🇦 Canada |
Is Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: raw berries
Raw viburnum berries can upset the stomach; not a common poisoning risk.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum)
- How far apart should I plant Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum)?
- About 2.5 m (8.2 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2.5–4 m (8.2–13 ft).
- Does Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum)?
- It tolerates about -29 °C (-20 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) flower?
- From about May for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Raw viburnum berries can upset the stomach; not a common poisoning risk.
- What grows well with Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Japanese snowball (doublefile viburnum). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Tiered, horizontal branches lined with flat white flower heads along their tops in late spring (f. tomentosum ‘Mariesii’); the sterile form carries round snowballs. Pleated leaves turn wine-red.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Korean spice viburnum Viburnum carlesii
- American highbush cranberry Viburnum trilobum
- Fragrant viburnum (Farrer’s viburnum) Viburnum farreri
- Arrowwood viburnum Viburnum dentatum
- Laurustinus Viburnum tinus
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens