Viburnum f. plicatum Mary Milton

Viburnum f. plicatum 'Mary Milton' is a Japanese snowball tree with pink ball-shaped flowers that has the particularity of having a nival zone habit.

In spring, it produces an abundance of pink flower balls with green veins. The flowers are nearly 10cm (4in) in size. Their colour lightens as they bloom. The flowers are honey-rich, attracting butterflies, bees, and birds.

The foliage is deciduous. It is dense, highly veined, and dark green in colour, especially in spring. It provides an interesting contrast with the pink flowers. The leaves turn orange-red in autumn.

This snowball tree is very hardy.

At maturity, it can reach a little over 2m (7ft) in height. It can be grown as a standalone plant, but it has the most impact in a tabular habit. It looks wonderful in flower beds, informal hedges, and containers. It is perfect for small gardens.

'Mary Milton' is an improved version of the 'Kern's Pink' cultivar. It is a beautiful variety, little-known in Europe.