Viburnum tinus Laurustinus PFAF Plant Database

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Viburnum tinus - L.

Common Name

Laurustinus

Family

Adoxaceae

Synonyms

Known Hazards

None known

Habitats

Found in the more luxuriant type of macchia vegetation and as undergrowth in woods, usually near the sea[11].

Range

S. Europe. A garden escape in Britain[17].

Edibility Rating

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Viburnum tinus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3.5 m (11ft) by 3.5 m (11ft) at a fast rate.
It is hardy to zone 7. It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Dec to February, and the seeds ripen from Oct to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is not self-fertile.

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.


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Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Hedge;

Edible Uses
None known

Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. None known

Other Uses
Hedge; Hedge. A fast growing informal hedge but it can be damaged in the most exposed positions[75].

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, succeeding in both acid and alkaline soils but it is ill-adapted for poor soils and dry situations[1, 202]. Prefers a deep rich loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[11] but flowers better in a sunny position[182]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Best if given shade from the early morning sun in spring[200]. Thrives in moderate shade but is better in full sun[11]. A fairly wind resistant plant but it requires shelter from cold northerly and north-easterly winds[75, 200]. This species is hardy to about -10°c, it does not thrive in the colder areas of the country[182]. A very variable plant, there are a number of named varieties[11, 182]. Fast growing when young, though slowing with age[202]. Very tolerant of pruning, plants quickly regenerate even from old wood[202]. Plants give off an offensive smell in wet weather[182]. Plants occasionally self-sow in Britain[17]. Plants are self-incompatible and need to grow close to a genetically distinct plant in the same species in order to produce fruit and fertile seed[11, 200].

Propagation

Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe. Germination can be slow, sometimes taking more than 18 months. If the seed is harvested 'green' (when it has fully developed but before it has fully ripened) and sown immediately in a cold frame, it should germinate in the spring[80]. Stored seed will require 2 months warm then 3 months cold stratification and can still take 18 months to germinate[113]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in a cold frame or greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of soft-wood, early summer in a frame[200]. Pot up into individual pots once they start to root and plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 8 cm long with a heel if possible, July/August in a frame[78, 113]. Plant them into individual pots as soon as they start to root. These cuttings can be difficult to overwinter, it is best to keep them in a greenhouse or cold frame until the following spring before planting them out[113]. Cuttings of mature wood, winter in a frame. They should root in early spring - pot them up when large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer if sufficient new growth is made, otherwise keep them in a cold frame for the next winter and then plant them out in the spring. Layering of current seasons growth in July/August. Takes 15 months[78].

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
11200

Links / References

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[11]Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement.

A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.

[17]Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles.

A very comprehensive flora, the standard reference book but it has no pictures.

[75]Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges.

A small booklet packed with information on trees and shrubs for hedging and shelterbelts in exposed maritime areas.

[78]Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers.

A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.

[80]McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed.

Does not deal with many species but it is very comprehensive on those that it does cover. Not for casual reading.

[113]Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation.

A very detailed book on propagating trees. Not for the casual reader.

[182]Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos.

Contains a wide range of plants with a brief description, mainly of their ornamental value but also usually of cultivation details and varieties.

[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.

Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[202]Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs.

Contains information on 2,000 species and cultivars, giving details of cultivation requirements. The text is terse but informative.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Lydia Beth	Sat Jan 14 2006

I am interested in using this shrub in a border near a horse pasture. Is there any information out there regarding whether this shrub is toxic to livestock if ingested?

Elizabeth H.
	Thu Jul 27 2006

I have 5 outside the front door and the offensive smell is actually very poo like. I would not recommend anyone plants one!!

Elizabeth H.
Mrs Bronwyn Lummis	Tue Jun 9 2009

June 9th 2009 Thankyou so much for letting me know about the poo smell of this plant!! we have lived in our house house 16yrs and on anoff we have smelt this and at the moment it does so everyone who comes into the front garden thinks its a cat doing it so now we must say sorry to the Cat poor thing!!

Elizabeth H.
Loretta	Sat Jul 11 2009

We have a Blue Muffin Viburnum right outside our front door, and my husband recently trimmed it back. Well, it smells just like cow manure. We weren't sure where the offensive odor was coming from, but it was from the "sap?" from the recently-cut twigs. Is the Blue Muffin Viburnum part of the Viburnum tinus grouping?

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