Viburnum furcatum

Viburnum furcatum, or forked viburnum, is a deciduous shrub in the Viburnaceae family. It comes from temperate parts of eastern Asia. Kew lists its native range from South Korea and Sakhalin to Japan. Plants For A Future also lists the southern Kurile Islands. In Japan, it grows in damp mountain woods and scrub. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

This large, upright shrub has a bushy form. Kew also records it as a tree. In gardens, it reaches about 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres] tall. Its spread falls within the same range. It takes around 10–20 years to reach full size. The broad, oval leaves fall each year. Before they drop, they turn shades of red and purple. These autumn colours add interest beyond the flowering season.

Its flower heads have a lacecap form, with creamy-white sterile florets. The supplied evidence does not give a clear flowering season. Red berries follow the flowers and later turn black. The leaves, flowers and changing fruit provide several points of interest. This makes it useful in mixed shrub borders and woodland gardens. RHS also lists cottage gardens, coastal gardens and borders beside walls. Allow room for its full height and width when placing it.

Grow it in moist soil that drains well. The RHS profile lists acidic loam and a sheltered, south-facing site. It gives full sun as the light setting. Plants For A Future also places it in dappled woodland shade. RHS rates its hardiness as H6, covering all of Britain and northern Europe. Plants For A Future gives USDA zones 5–9. Seeds can be sown in pots in an autumn cold frame. Semi-ripe cuttings taken in summer offer another way to raise plants. RHS also lists grafting as a propagation method.

Aphids and viburnum beetle may attack this shrub. Possible diseases include Phytophthora, honey fungus, grey mould and leaf spot. The sources disagree about the fruit's safety. Plants For A Future lists fruit as edible raw or cooked. It gives the plant a low food-use score and reports no known hazards. RHS instead warns that people and pets must not eat the fruit. It also advises gloves and protective gear when handling the plant. Given this conflict, do not treat the berries as food. Plants For A Future records no known medicinal or other uses.