Viburnum plicatum Pinkimono

Viburnum plicatum 'Pinkimono' is a compact variety of Chinese Viburnum, ideal for small gardens and container growing. This small deciduous bush is attractive for its deep green foliage, which takes on beautiful autumn colours, often reddish-purple, and for its long flowering period. In spring, flat-headed inflorescences reaching 10 cm in diameter emerge in light pink before turning pure white. Flowering frequently recurs in autumn, sometimes lasting until October. It is followed by ornamental red, then black fruit. Rarely exceeding 1 m in height, it will be ideal in the foreground of a border, preferably in slightly or non-calcareous, humus-bearing, moist soil. Hardy down to approximately -15°C, it thrives in a sunny, but not too sunny, position or in partial shade in a warm temperate climate.

Once a member of the Caprifoliaceae family alongside Honeysuckle, Viburnum has since been reclassified into the very small Adoxaceae family, where it now keeps company with Elders. The Viburnum genus includes more than 150 wild species, found on all continents (except Australia), from temperate climates to tropical regions. Many botanical species have ornamental value, the oldest having been introduced from the United States as early as 1761. Viburnum plicatum itself is native to East Asia, notably China, hence its common name Chinese Viburnum. It grows on wooded slopes and forest edges, forming a bush 3 to 4 m in height and spread.
Viburnum 'Pinkimono' is distinguished by its significantly smaller size, allowing it to be easily grown in containers. With fairly slow growth, the compact bush eventually reaches approximately 1 m in height, sometimes a little more, for 50 to 60 cm in width at maturity. Its upright silhouette is typically structured in tiers of vegetation, due to the shoots which tend to spread horizontally, giving it an interesting architectural presence in small spaces. The opposite leaves are elliptical with a pointed tip and a finely toothed edge. They are a beautiful, clear green in summer and lightly quilted due to the prominent veins
The main flowering period extends from May to early July and takes the form of flat-headed, 8 to 10 cm diameter florescences. The centre consists of small sterile flowers, while the periphery is made up of more developed sterile flowers, thus resembling Lacecap Hydrangeas. The flowers emerge in pretty light pink tones, then turn to an immaculate white, set off by the darker foliage. The flowers are followed by small red berries, 8 mm in diameter, which gradually turn black. A second flush frequently occurs in autumn (even more likely if the faded flowers from the first wave are removed), thus allowing one to enjoy flowers until October.
When autumn nights turn cool, the plant takes on beautiful colours, often in wine-purple hues, or sometimes orange-red, depending on the soil and climate.

Viburnum plicatum 'Pinkimono' is particularly valuable for small gardens, where you can place it in the foreground of a partially shaded border, in a damp situation, as it does not like drought. To create an original scene, plant an Itea ilicifolia, in the background, a little-known evergreen bush which in late summer produces very long, truly original yellowish spikes. A clump of Physocarpus opulifolius 'Magic Ball', whose foliage changes from orange to gold, then to red, will form a remarkable colour contrast in your border. A few clumps of Heuchera Wildberry at the edge will add a surprising and welcome purplish touch to your display.