Viburnum macrocephalum Happy Fortuna

Viburnum macrocephalum 'Happy Fortuna', also known as Chinese Snowball Bush, is a beautiful American novelty. This deciduous to semi-evergreen bush, with an erect habit, is adorned with enormous spherical inflorescences which are initially lime green before turning pure white. They cover its dark foliage from May to June, offering a dazzling spectacle in borders. The enchantment continues in autumn, when its beautiful ovate leaves come alive with flamboyant colours. This cousin of the famous Snowball Bush has the characteristic of producing only sterile flowers, and therefore no fruits. Very hardy, it grows in any deep, fertile and moist soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Viburnum macrocephalum is a mountainous viburnum belonging to the Viburnaceae family, native to the forests of central China where it is found at an altitude between 400 and 1000m (1312 and 3281ft). In its natural environment, it can reach a height of 4m (13ft), but its dimensions will be more modest in our climates.

The 'Happy Fortuna' variety, recently obtained in the United States, is a bush with an erect and rounded habit, measuring 1.5 to 2.5m (5 to 8ft) in height and 1 to 2m (3 to 7ft) in width. Its inflorescences, which appear in late spring, resemble huge hydrangea balls, composed of numerous sterile florets that start off light green and then become immaculate white. The pubescent buds are visible in winter on hairy young shoots. Its oval and leathery foliage sometimes persists through mild winters. The 10cm (4in) long leaves show a dark green colour, and then they turn red and yellow in autumn, making its ornamental value in the garden twofold. The bark of this bush is grey-brown to greyish-white.

Completely hardy, the Chinese Snowball Bush thrives in sunny or partially shaded locations. While the obvious beauty of its flowering cannot be ignored, this bush does not tire; it modestly fades away once it has finished blooming, giving way to summer-flowering shrubs, only to reappear in autumn with a flamboyant coat. It can be used as a standalone specimen to attract attention in small gardens. In larger gardens, plant in informal hedges or in borders to create a beautiful backdrop alongside lilacs, weigelas, and hydrangeas. Its wonderful spherical clusters can be used in spring bouquets, accompanied by peonies and irises.