Viburnum nudum Brandywine

Viburnum nudum Brandywine ('Bulk'), also known as Viburnum nudum 'Bulk', is decorative almost all year round. This bush is not only attractive for its adorable little pink and then dark blue berries that persist on the branches throughout winter, but also for its (usually) semi-evergreen foliage, which takes on splendid autumn colours. With a moderate growth rate, it is rustic, refined, and colourful, making it a lovely plant for non-calcareous garden soils that remain moist.

Viburnum nudum is native to the United States, Canada, and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon. It belongs to the Viburnaceae family. It is a large bush that can reach 3.5m (11ft) in all directions, growing in slightly acidic (pH 5.5 to 6.5), humus-rich soils, especially moist to wet, as it dislikes drought. In May-June, it produces fragrant white flowers in almost flat clusters. These develop into small yellow, then pink, and finally blue-violet berries. Very hardy (down to about -28°C (-18.4°F)), this viburnum thrives in full sun or partial shade.

Brandywine, introduced by Mark Bulk from Boskoop (a renowned nursery location in the Netherlands), stands out for its more compact habit than the botanical species, as well as its remarkable pink and violet fruiting. This bush will not exceed 2m (7ft) in height and spread, fitting perfectly into a rural hedge, especially as it is known to be resistant to deer. It blooms in June-July, in the form of large flat-topped corymbs, 10 to 15cm (4 to 6in) in diameter, composed of small fragrant white flowers that are highly attractive to pollinators and butterflies. The fruiting is abundant and very decorative, with clusters of numerous round berries in a vibrant pink colour, turning dark blue to almost black when ripe. Its foliage is deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on the severity of winter, and consists of large elliptical leaves of a beautiful glossy dark green. They turn red, purplish-violet, and brown in autumn. 

Brandywine is perfect in a natural garden. It can be planted alone, in a border, or as part of a countryside hedge. It can be accompanied by Amelanchier lamarckii, which has magnificent spring flowering and also develops decorative fruits, as well as stunning autumn colours. Our European spindle tree, Euonymus europaeus, will not be left behind with its curious and highly decorative "bishop's hat" fruits and its flamboyant autumn colours. In the same vein, the White Snowberry will bring a white touch with its decorative fruits, while a 'Mont Rose' Deutzia will colour the spring with its lovely pink flowers.